Modular electrical distribution system for a building

ABSTRACT

A universal power distribution system is provided for routing electrical circuits within a building structure to comprehensively provide electrical power to the building in ceiling configurations, wall-mounted configurations, raised floor configurations and in office furniture configurations. The system components for all of these configurations have common plug connectors that are engagable with each other so as to be readily usable in a wide variety of applications. The system is readily adaptable to form virtually any conventional circuit configuration found within conventional hard-wired systems yet is formed simply through the routing of the cables through the building cavities and interconnection is accomplished merely by plugging components together rather than through labor-intensive manual wiring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/964,198, filed Aug. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a universal modular electrical distributionsystem for a building and, more particularly, to a system having modularcomponents that are inner-connectable to supply power to lighting andpower receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In non-residential buildings, such buildings have various sizesdedicated to various uses such as for offices, retail and manufacturing.These buildings typically define relatively large open spaces within theinterior thereof that are then outfitted with various interiorstructures. For office buildings, such interior structures may bespace-dividing wall panels that subdivide the open office areas intosmaller rooms or work stations. For retail spaces, the open interiorbuilding spaces may be outfitted or subdivided with various salesfixtures, equipment and display fixtures. Generally for non-residentialbuildings, the open interior spaces are outfitted with a configurationof lighting as well as an additional power supply system which providesreceptacles in appropriate locations within the interior space, and withadditional power supply connections for various pieces of equipment usedwithin such spaces.

Large non-residential buildings typically are connected to an outsidepower source providing three-phase power wherein transformers reducethis higher voltage to selected lower voltages suitable for theelectrical power distribution systems provided within the space. Forexample, ceiling lighting fixtures often use 277 volts or 347 voltcircuits as their power supply to increase the number of fixtures on asingle circuit, while most other items, such as wall-mountedreceptacles, are powered by 120 volt service.

For this building wiring, THHN wire is used almost exclusively innon-residential buildings and is a nylon-jacketed wire type. This wireis installed within conventional conduits and metal enclosures andconnected to various electrical devices to assemble the powerdistribution system to power lighting and other building equipment.

The conventional “hard wiring” installation method first involvesinstalling various protective components for these wires in the form offloor/wall channels or steel tube conduit. After the passages areinstalled, the THHN wires are inserted into the passages by bundling thewires into groups with each wire being supplied from a separate spool,and then pulling the wiring bundles through the passages from one end tothe other, after which the wires are cut from the spools. At theupstream terminal end of the system, the wires are usually connectedwith a main power supply such as the circuit breaker box that typicallyis located near the exterior power source for the building. The wirebundles may be terminated at selected locations, such as in receptacleor junction boxes, wherein the free wire ends along each wiring runtypically are enclosed within the various wiring boxes and are oftenconnected to some wiring device such as wall receptacles, switches,lighting fixtures or other fixtures/equipment. Most of the wire ends areindividually connected to a system component, such as a receptacle,through manual hard wiring by an electrician.

Typically, each run of passages or conduits is sized for the number offixtures and devices being connected thereto, and accommodates multiplecircuits that are defined by the bundle of wires wherein typically threecircuits are defined in a wire bundle. As such, the conduits andpassages will often have five wires, one wire serving as a hot wire foreach of three separate circuits for a total of three hot wires, oneneutral or common return serving each of the three circuits, and onesafety grounding wire, also serving the plurality of circuits. Someconduits may only have a single circuit extending therethroughcomprising only three wires, namely one circuit or hot wire, a commonreturn or neutral wire, and a ground wire. For conventional wall-mountedreceptacles, the three-wire circuit may carry 120 volts. Lightingfixtures, however, are often installed on a single circuit of 277 voltsor 347 volts wherein this higher voltage, single circuit can power agreater number of fixtures so as to reduce the total number of circuitsbeing routed through a building structure.

As described above, the wiring practices for a non-residential buildingare currently labor-intensive wherein it is desirable to reduce thecomplexity of this wiring process. Attempts have been made to introducepower distribution systems comprising components wherein some of thesystem connections are already formed in the components in themanufacturing stage which therefore serves to transfer the labor from ajob site and instead to a factory environment where automation and/ormore efficient assembly processes can be applied in producing the systemcomponents. As a result of these efforts, some modular wiring systemsand pre-bundled cables or conduits, namely MC cables, have beenintroduced and used which does reduce some of the on-site labor requiredto assemble the power distribution system.

In one example, pre-bundling or MC cable manufacturing involvesautomatic wrapping of a bundle of wires, usually three or five THHNwires, with a rolled metal strip that wraps circumferentially about thewire bundle and adjacent wraps interlock together along their edges toform a flexible metal jacket or flexible conduit. These MC cables arestill formed in a long length wound onto large 1,000 foot spools, whichspools are then shipped to local distributors and then cut to length asneeded at the job site.

At the job site, these flexible cables hence are pulled directly frompoint to point through building cavities to define the variouselectrical circuits within such buildings. After pulling of theflexible, jacketed cables to selected locations, the cables are then cutnear the spool to a desired length with the metal shield being strippedoff from a portion of each opposite end of the cable length forsubsequent connection to the desired electrical components being joinedthereto, such as a lighting fixture, receptacle, switch or otherequivalent component. In this regard, the individual wire ends arestripped and connected to the system components by hand in substantiallythe same manner as the conventional hard-wiring process described above.This alternate process provides for faster installation of the wiringbundles with more efficient routing directly between cable terminations,although the laying of the cables and the individual fastening of thecables to the system components is still labor-intensive.

In a further effort to improve the wiring process, modular wiring hasevolved into categories of uses, namely manufactured cable systems withend connectors, and office furniture power systems which are used inspace-dividing wall panels and other furniture components. These twosystems have some similarities but are currently developed as separatesystems for different applications within the same building environment.

As to manufactured cable systems, current manufacturers usually make twoversions of such cable systems wherein one is provided for the poweringand switching of lighting circuits and lighting fixtures, and anothersystem is provided for powering receptacles. It is believed that thesecurrent systems are not compatible with each other wherein one system isprovided to develop the lighting circuits and the other system is usedto develop power supply receptacles throughout the interior buildingspaces. Further, the lighting systems are known to have three differenttypes which are each factory keyed for one of the three common voltagesmentioned above wherein voltage keying prevents interconnection ofcircuits and components of different voltages even when the plug styleused in such systems is identical between the three system types.

More particularly, each of these manufactured cable systems includesseveral standard cable lengths having connector plugs at opposite endsthereof, and the systems further include pre-wired termination boxes forswitch cable connections and Y connections. Wiring devices such asswitches and receptacles are still connected by hand in standard wallboxes for these systems. Further, lighting fixtures are often providedwith an extension cable designed for its appropriate voltage thatattaches to the next fixture in a circuit in a daisy-chainconfiguration.

In addition to the manufactured cable system, office furniture powersystems also are used to supply the individual power circuits within thespace-dividing furniture used within an interior space. These officefurniture power systems usually embody proprietary designs developed bymajor furniture system manufacturers and as such, these competingsystems are not designed to be easily interconnected with each other.These power systems are more complex than manufactured cable systems inthat the only hard wire connection typically is at the point where thesystem connection is made to the building wiring such as at the powerpanel. The other connections within the furniture components are simplemodular plug connections.

These office furniture systems typically are only 120 volt systems andhave multiple circuits, such as three or four circuits, running parallelthrough the entire chain or series of interconnected wiring modules.Where necessary receptacles are attached by simple plug attachment tothe wiring modules wherein the receptacles also can have circuitselection switches that are manipulated before installation so that thereceptacle can be connected to a selected one of the plurality ofcircuits defined in the wiring modules. Because of the need forreconfiguration of the office furniture systems over time, these officefurniture power systems are highly desirable in that they can bedisconnected and reconfigured in conformance with the repositioning ofthe office furniture components.

The above modular systems provide advantages over the most basic hardwiring process, but also do have disadvantages associated therewithwhich limits the scope of application within a single buildingstructure.

In this regard, the manufactured cable systems described above have alower installed cost than hard wiring and are easier to reconfigure, buttypically are not stocked by local electrical supply distributors sothat the manufactured cable systems must be designed during the buildingplanning stage to ensure that nearly exact quantities of each electricalcomponent are obtained. If the order amounts are inadequate, laterreorders can take several weeks to obtain which may unacceptably delaybuilding construction.

It is not practical for a distributor to stock even a full range ofproducts for a single brand of such systems because of the differenttypes of systems, i.e. lighting versus power receptacles, and thenumerous parts required for each of the three different voltageversions.

Office power furniture systems are considered to be lower cost thanthose systems described above and are made in higher volumes due totheir extensive use in the office furniture industry. However, suchproducts also are proprietary products, or the result of proprietarydevelopment such that any single power distribution system typically isnot open-sourced but instead is developed and manufactured by or for aspecific manufacturer. Further, the various system designs do nottypically anticipate usage of such power systems outside of a furnitureor office environment such that the power systems typically are limitedto 120 volt applications.

Based upon the foregoing, it is found to be desirable to develop auniversal building power system that overcomes disadvantages associatedwith existing systems and is universally adaptable for use to not onlysupply power to lighting circuits and building wall receptacle circuits,but also to supply power to modular space-dividing office furniture andother office furniture components. In this regard, it is an object thatsuch a system be capable of being stocked at local electrical supplydistributors and serve virtually all applications, such as lighting,wall receptacles and switches, floor raceways and floor-mountedelectrical components and also be routable into modular office furniturecomponents and systems. Further, it is desirable that the single powerdistribution system also be capable for use in all three of the voltagelevels and be able to be voltage keyed to restrict uses of thecomponents to the selected voltage level once such has been selectedduring the installation phase.

Further, the inventive system should be plug-connected throughout,starting at the breaker box, through the building, and into thefurniture system and finally be able to accommodate installation of alllighting fixtures, receptacles, switches and other fixtures/equipmentwith a minimum of hard wiring.

As to receptacles, it is desirable that such receptacles have thecircuit selection feature and be able to be connected to both a walloutlet box and an office furniture wiring module and be pre-keyed for120 volts only. As such, the 120 volt receptacles could be readilystocked locally at a distributor and be the same receptacle as thosesupplied by an individual furniture supplier which therefore providesmultiple supply options.

The system also desirably will be interconnectable with an open-sourcedfurniture power system wherein the furniture system would be availableto all furniture manufacturers as an alternative furniture power systemthat could be installed in the manufacturer's office furniture in placeof the proprietary systems currently in use. The office furniture systemof the invention includes compatible power distribution assemblies(PDA's) for direct mounting in the raceway of a wall panel, receptaclesand flex-connectors for interconnecting serially-adjacent PDA'stogether.

The invention therefore relates to a universal power distribution systemfor routing electrical circuits within a building structure tocomprehensively provide electrical power to the building in ceilingconfigurations, wall-mounted configurations, raised floor configurationsand in office furniture configurations. The system components for all ofthese configurations have common plug connectors that are interengagablewith each other so as to be readily usable in a wide variety ofapplications.

The system generally comprises power distribution assemblies (PDA's)adapted for mounting within the modular raceways of building components,variable lengths of flexible conduit units for long conduit runs whichhave connector plugs at the opposite end thereof, and then individualcircuit components such as receptacles, switches, fixture adapters, andjunction boxes.

The system of the invention would most cost-effectively be formed as athree-circuit, five-wire system for use with both the wall-mounted andfloor-mounted building applications at 120 volts, and for the officefurniture configurations at the same voltage level. The systemcomponents would have five wires wherein three of the wires would bededicated as hot wires corresponding respectively to each of the threecircuits, with fourth and fifth wires respectively serving as a commonneutral and common ground for the three circuits. The variouscomponents, such as the receptacles, could also have circuit selectorsthereon so that the receptacle could be selectively engaged with one ofthe three circuits. However, the wire wires could be used to define twocircuits (two hots, two neutrals, one ground) or the system componentsalso may include more or less wires, such as three wires to define asingle circuit or four wires.

For the high-voltage lighting power applications, similar componentscould also be used, such as a flexible conduit unit which would have thesame appearance and plug connectors as the five-wire components.However, these alternate system components could be formed asthree-wire, single-circuit components which carry a single circuittherethrough yet are still engagable with a five-wire component whenvoltage keyed alike so that one of the three wires in the three-wirecomponent would be engagable with a selected one of the three circuitscarried by the five-wire components. The three-wire components couldhave circuit selectors in the plugs so that only one circuit is accessedby the circuit selector and the plug connector located at the upstreamor tapping end of the conduit unit.

Where the three-wire, single circuit components carry higher voltages,the voltage keying feature on the plugs would be set to correspond tothe high voltage level such that these components would only beconnectable with components keyed alike for such voltage level.Preferably, the voltage keys may only be set once by an electricianduring installation which would prevent later unauthorized mixing ofcircuit components dedicated for different voltage levels. Also, forcomponents designed solely for 120 volt circuits such as the PDA's andflex connectors used for office furniture, the voltage keying may befixed in its position.

Further, the flexible conduit units are also engagable with wall-mountedoutlet boxes so as to supply power thereto wherein either a switch orreceptacle could be plugged into the plug connector that is accessiblethrough the box depending upon the plug connector entering the box andthe compatibility of such connector with the compatibility of theconnector on the switch or receptacle.

All of the components use a common plug construction comprising aslotted contact block for supporting electrical contacts, and flatelectrical contact which reduces space requirements for the plugs. Thecontacts are formed essentially in a plane and are deformable in theplane so that two interconnected contacts are coplanar and define alow-profile contact. Hence, a stack of vertically spaced contacts ineach plug only requires a minimal height, and is efficient tomanufacture and assemble in a contact-receiving contact block.

As described further herein, the overall inventive system is readilyadaptable to form virtually any conventional circuit configuration foundwithin conventional hard-wired systems yet is formed simply through therouting of the cables through the building cavities and interconnectionis accomplished merely by plugging components together rather thanthrough labor-intensive manual wiring. Some manual wiring of componentsmay still be desirable and is possible through the use of systemcomponents having a plug and a pigtail configuration of individual wiresprojecting freely from the plug which pigtail wires may then be hardwired to off-the-shelf wiring components.

The inventive system thereby relates to a comprehensive system ofcompatible components which are designed to satisfy virtually all of therequirements of the power systems currently in use for building wiring.

Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof,will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspectingthe accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a pictorial view of a building structure having a modularpower distribution system of the invention, installed therein to definea lighting configuration.

FIG. 1B is a pictorial view of the power distribution system in awall-mounted receptacle configuration.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a building stud wall and raised flooringhaving the power distribution system in an alternate receptacleconfiguration fed through the flooring cavities.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wall panel system in an alternate configuration.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a space-dividing wall panel system havingthe power distribution system therein configured to supply power to workstations.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating a power distribution assembly(PDA) for mounting in a wall panel raceway.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating a flexible connector forjoining serially-adjacent power distribution assemblies (PDA's)together.

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates power distribution components forfurniture units.

FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates several embodiments of flexibleconduit units or units for flexible conduit runs through buildingcavities.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a fixture/equipment tap.

FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates additional configurations offixture/equipment taps.

FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates a field-wirable transition starterfed from an MC Cable.

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates a field-wirable transition tap forsupplying an MC Cable.

FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates various starter components.

FIG. 14 illustrates multiple variations of starter components inmulti-circuit configurations.

FIG. 15 illustrates 90° fixture taps in various in-line and 90°configurations.

FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrates in-line and 90° fixture/equipmenttaps in the various configurations.

FIG. 17 diagrammatically illustrates device taps and rigid conduit tapsin various configurations.

FIGS. 18A-18B diagrammatically illustrate a field wiring junction box.

FIG. 19 illustrates multiple wall boxes in several configurations

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a floor box assembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates the assembly process for a wall-mounted electricalreceptacle.

FIG. 22 illustrates the assembly process for a wall-mounted switch.

FIG. 23 illustrates the assembly process for changing out a receptaclewith a wall panel feed unit.

FIG. 24 illustrates two configurations of pre-wired receptacles.

FIG. 25 illustrates an alternate receptacle assembly which is fieldwirable or factory wirable.

FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates the pre-wired receptacleconfigurations.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a plug-in switch.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a pre-wired switch assembly.

FIG. 29 diagrammatically illustrates the switch of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 diagrammatically illustrates various switch assemblies and areceptacle assembly in pigtail switch configurations using switch devicepigtails that are field or factory wirable.

FIG. 31 illustrates various switch device pigtails.

FIG. 32 illustrates a three-way switch connector junction.

FIG. 33 illustrates a three/four-way switch connector junction.

FIG. 34 illustrates a fixture connector.

FIG. 35 diagrammatically illustrates a switch junction.

FIG. 36 diagrammatically illustrates an alternate switch junction threeand four way switch configurations.

FIG. 37 diagrammatically illustrates an automated switch controller.

FIG. 38 is an isometric view of a first exemplary assembly of systemcomponents for use in a wall panel.

FIG. 39 illustrates a second exemplary assembly of system componentsincluding a switch junction for use in building cavities such as ceilingor floor raceways.

FIG. 40 is a rear view of the assembly of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 illustrates a first portion of an exemplary systemconfiguration.

FIG. 42 illustrates a second portion thereof.

FIG. 43 illustrates a third portion thereof.

FIG. 44 illustrates an alternate third portion of an alternate systemconfiguration.

FIG. 45 illustrates a second portion of a further system configuration.

FIG. 46A illustrates a first section of a still further systemconfiguration.

FIG. 46B illustrates a second section of a still further systemconfiguration.

FIG. 47A illustrates a first section of another system configurationwith a switch leg defined therein.

FIG. 47B illustrates a second section of another system configurationwith a switch leg defined therein.

FIG. 48A illustrates one section of a first portion of a three circuitsystem configuration with a switch leg.

FIG. 48B illustrates another section of a first portion of a threecircuit system configuration with a switch leg.

FIG. 49A illustrates a first section of an alternate systemconfiguration with a switch leg.

FIG. 49B illustrates a second section of an alternate systemconfiguration with a switch leg.

FIG. 50A illustrates a first section of still another systemconfiguration with an electronic control switch junction.

FIG. 50B illustrates a second section of still another systemconfiguration with an electronic control switch junction.

FIG. 51 illustrates a power distribution assembly (PDA) for a furniturecomponent having plug-in receptacles mounted thereto.

FIG. 52 illustrates the power distribution assembly without thereceptacles.

FIG. 53 illustrates the power distribution assembly from an alternateangle.

FIG. 54 illustrates a conductor assembly removed from the PDA.

FIG. 55 is an enlarged isometric view illustrating a receptacle contactblock in a partially disassembled position.

FIG. 56 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of one end of a PDAhaving end contact blocks in a partially disassembled position.

FIG. 57 is an isometric view illustrating a PDA with one each of the endcontact blocks and receptacle contact blocks removed therefrom.

FIG. 58 illustrates one side cover of a conductor casing removed fromthe PDA.

FIG. 59 is a partial view illustrating an end of the conductor casing.

FIG. 60 illustrates a casing section.

FIG. 61 illustrates an opposite casing section adapted to besnap-connected to the first casing section of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62A is a top view of double contact blocks of a PDA being connectedto a single contact block of a flex connector with the remainingcomponent parts being removed therefrom for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 62B is a partial isometric view of the PDA.

FIG. 62C is an end view of the PDA.

FIG. 62D is a partial isometric view of the PDA with the contact blocksand contacts of one end of the PDA removed for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 62E illustrates an end view of the contact blocks for a receptacleon the PDA.

FIG. 63A illustrates a vertically stacked configuration of PDA's withreceptacles mounted thereto.

FIG. 63B illustrates the vertically stacked PDA's with the receptaclesremoved therefrom.

FIG. 64 is an isometric view illustrating a flexible conduit connectoror conduit unit having single and double connector ends.

FIG. 65 illustrates the conduit unit from the double end thereof.

FIG. 66 illustrates a flexible conductor with two single ends on theopposite ends thereof.

FIG. 67A illustrates a single connector end with a circuit selectionfeature.

FIG. 67B illustrates a circuit selectable contact block.

FIG. 67C illustrates a slidable contact shroud.

FIG. 67D is an isometric cross-sectional view of the single connectorend.

FIG. 67E is an elevational cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 68 illustrates the interconnection between a single A connector anda double B connector end of an adjacent conduit unit.

FIG. 69 illustrates a double connector end with a section of housing anda cable manager removed therefrom.

FIG. 70 illustrates the flexible conduit unit with the partially-exposeddouble end of FIG. 69.

FIG. 71 illustrates the single connector end with one housing coverremoved and a wire management assembly positioned in place.

FIG. 72 illustrates the single end of FIG. 71 with one wire managementcover removed.

FIG. 73 illustrates a first wire management cover.

FIG. 74 illustrates a second wire management cover.

FIG. 75A illustrates the interior end contact blocks of single anddouble end connector mated together.

FIG. 75B is an isometric view of the interconnected contact blocks ofFIG. 75A with a keying pin in a fully seated, non-rotatable lockedposition.

FIG. 75C is an end view of a slotted end of a contact block.

FIG. 75D is an isometric view of the front plug end of the contact blockof FIG. 75C.

FIG. 75E illustrates the contact block in a single end connector.

FIG. 75F illustrates the contact blocks in a double end connector.

FIG. 76 illustrates the interior contact components of a single endconnector.

FIG. 77 illustrates an electrical contact in a single configuration.

FIG. 78 illustrates an electrical contact in a double configurationbeing mated with two single electrical contacts.

FIG. 79 is a plan view of the interconnected contacts of FIG. 78.

FIG. 80 illustrates an alternate contact configuration in a singlecontact configuration.

FIG. 81A illustrates two alternate single contacts partially joinedtogether.

FIG. 81B illustrates the single contacts in a fully connected condition.

FIG. 82A illustrates a modified terminal with a single contact havingresilient barbs thereon.

FIG. 82B illustrates a double terminal with barbed contacts.

FIG. 82C illustrates the modified terminal of FIG. 82A in an alternatecontact block having a modified grouping of contact slots.

FIG. 82D is a cross-sectional view of the contact block of FIG. 82C.

FIG. 82E is a further cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 83 illustrates a single connector end with a voltage key in anunlocked, rotatable condition.

FIG. 84 illustrates the voltage key in a locked configuration.

FIG. 85 illustrates two voltage keying pins prior to engagement witheach other.

FIG. 86 illustrates the keying pins interfitted in mating engagement.

FIG. 87A is a cross-sectional view of the contact block showing a keyingpin in a rotatable, adjustable position.

FIG. 87B illustrates the keying pin in a non-rotatable, locked position.

FIG. 87C is a top cross-sectional view of a resettable keying pin.

FIG. 88 is an isometric view illustrating a keying pin in a double endconnector with a left keying pin in a rotatable adjustable position anda second right keying pin in a locked position.

FIG. 89 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the double end connectorof FIG. 88 connected to a single end connector.

FIG. 90 illustrates a circuit-selectable flexible conduit unit.

FIG. 91 is an enlarged view illustrating the single connector end withthe circuit selection option.

FIG. 92 illustrates a wall box assembly having a single receptacle andtwo switches mounted thereto.

FIG. 93 illustrates a locking bracket for the box.

FIG. 94 illustrates the box assembly of FIG. 92 with the receptacle andswitches removed therefrom.

FIG. 95 illustrates a box configuration having three receptacles.

FIG. 96 illustrates a single-gang box assembly with a bypass or passthrough configuration.

FIG. 97 illustrates the box assembly of FIG. 96 with the receptacleremoved therefrom.

FIG. 98 illustrates a plug-in electrical receptacle in one embodiment.

FIG. 99 is an end view of the receptacle with a circuit selector in afirst position.

FIGS. 100 and 101 respectively illustrate the circuit selector inalternate second and third positions.

FIG. 102 is an enlarged view illustrating engagement of locator arms ona receptacle with a wall box.

FIGS. 103-105 illustrate the mounting process for mounting an exemplaryreceptacle to a wall box.

FIG. 106 illustrates a single-gang wall box with a pigtail switchassembly mounted thereto.

FIG. 107 illustrates the pigtail switch assembly with the receptacleremoved therefrom.

FIG. 108 diagrammatically illustrates the assembly process forconnecting a fixture such as a light to the power distribution system.

FIG. 109 illustrates a light fixture with a wireless-switch junctionmounted thereon.

FIG. 110 illustrates a wiring configuration for wiring the wirelessswitch junction to a light fixture.

FIG. 111 is an enlarged view of a first wiring configuration for theswitch junction with a bypass configuration also attached to a feedconduit connector.

FIG. 112 illustrates an alternate switch configuration.

FIG. 113 is a top cross-sectional view of the switch junction.

FIG. 114 is a pictorial view of a big-box store application using theinventive power distribution system.

FIG. 115 illustrates installation of system components in a concreteblock wall.

FIG. 116 illustrates a junction box for the system.

FIG. 117 illustrates the junction box connected with conduit connectors.

FIG. 118 illustrates a lighting connection.

FIG. 119 illustrates the junction box supporting a conventionreceptacle.

FIG. 120 illustrates an exit light supported by the junction box.

FIG. 121 illustrates a wall-mounted light unit supported by the junctionbox.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example,the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” willrefer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward andaway from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement anddesignated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a universal modular electrical distributionsystem 10 as illustrated in various configurations in FIGS. 1A-1B and2-4. The power distribution system 10 has various components and isreadily adaptable to multiple applications in non-residential buildingsand other similar structures as previously described above. Whileprimarily developed for non-residential applications, the system alsocould be used in its present form or adapted, if necessary, forresidential applications as the need warrants.

I. Overview

The universal power distribution system 10 of the invention overcomesdisadvantages associated with the existing systems described above andis intended to be “universally” adaptable for use to not only supplypower to lighting circuits, but also to building-wall receptaclecircuits, modular space-dividing office furniture, raised flooring andother building structures.

Generally as to non-residential buildings, such buildings can be anyconfiguration and thus, the distribution system 10 is readily adaptableto various building configurations and applications.

For example, FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary building structure 12which comprises a static wall 13 having a stick-built constructioncomprising vertical studs 14 and wall sheeting 15 which defines interiorwall cavities 16 between the wall studs 14. This wall 13 extendsupwardly from a base floor surface 17. In addition to the wall 13,additional interior walls 19 are provided which could have a stick-builtconfiguration but in the illustrated embodiment are comprised ofvertical space-dividing wall panels 20 which are serially joinedtogether to define individual rooms 21. The wall panels 20 may be anycommercially available system currently available on the market and inthe illustrated embodiment use floor-to-ceiling height wall panels 20,some of which include access doors 22. Above the wall panels 20, aceiling 24 is provided that is defined as a conventional drop ceiling 25defined by individual ceiling panels 26 that are grid-suspended.

It is noted that ceiling cavities 27 are defined vertically above theceiling panel 26, and the wall panels 20 also include interior wallcavities 28 defined vertically therein. These cavities 27 and 28 as wellas the stud cavities 16 define passages for routing of wiring usingconventional wiring practices.

In many existing building structures, the electrical needs of thebuilding are satisfied by various wiring systems described above tosupply power to wall-mounted receptacles and lighting circuits. However,the power distribution system 10 of the invention provides a universalsolution to the electrical distribution needs both for lighting and forwall-mounted receptacles as well as other wiring requirements.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the components of the powerdistribution system 10 are arranged in a lighting configuration tosupply power to a plurality of ceiling-mounted light fixtures 30. Asseen in the FIG. 1A illustration designated by reference numeral 31, thelight fixture 30 includes a knock-out port 32 through which is connecteda fixture tap 33. This fixture tap 33 in turn plugs into an elongateflexible conduit connector or conduit unit 34 that serves as primarywiring unit and supplies power thereto, which conduit unit 34 in turnconnects to an additional downstream conduit unit 34 that supplies powerto an additional light fixture 30. A plurality of the conduit units 34are engagable one with the other and are routed throughout the buildingcavities to supply power from a first upstream conduit unit identifiedas 34A which connects upstream to a power supply. The electrical poweris distributed through the building cavities to the lighting fixtures30.

To allow for switching, the system 10 further includes various junctionboxes including the switch junction 36 as seen in illustration 37 ofFIG. 1A. This switch junction 36 in turn connects to a conduit unit 34Bthat serves as a switch leg 35 that in turn connects to a wall-mountedswitch assembly 38 for manual switching of the lights on and off.

The various components of the power distribution system 10 will bedescribed in further detail hereinafter with the illustrations of FIGS.1A-5 being provided to show sample wiring configurations constructedfrom the variety of options available in wiring an office as a result ofthe different system components. The system 10 provides a comprehensivewiring solution and the components would be configured usingconventional wiring practices and standards to construct any desiredwiring circuit and layout.

In another example, FIG. 1B illustrates the building configuration ofFIG. 1A except for the illustration of a portion of a receptacle circuitformed in the building cavities. In this system configuration, aplurality of the above-described conduit units 34 are interconnectedtogether. As seen in illustration 39 of FIG. 1B, the downstream end 40has a double plug or end connector 41 that connects to the single plugsor end connectors 42 found at the upstream ends 43 of two additionalconduit units 34. This allows for a bypass connection wherein theelectrical circuit continues to extend linearly through the buildingcavities while also having a branch receptacle leg 44 defined by anadditional conduit unit 34 that extends downwardly through the wallcavities 16 or the wall panel cavities 28 to supply power to areceptacle assembly 46 mounted to the wall structure. This receptacleassembly 46 is shown in exploded form in illustration 47 of FIG. 1B.Notably, the double plug 41 of the conduit unit 34 plugs into awall-mounted electrical box 48 which in turn mounts therein a receptacle49 and a covering face plate 50. In this manner, a plurality of thereceptacles 49 may be installed at various locations within the buildingstructure for ready access by building occupants.

FIG. 2 illustrates the static walls 13 as having a raised floor system52 positioned on the main building floor surface 53. The raised floorsystem 52 in this configuration defines the floor surface 17 as beingraised up above the static floor surface 53 to define a floor cavity 54therebetween. The raised floor system 52 may be any conventional raisedflooring system which typically includes upstanding vertical supportposts 55 and rectangular, removable floor tiles 56 supported thereon ina floor-defining grid.

In this illustrated configuration, the distribution system 10 isconfigured with a plurality of the conduit wiring units 34 joinedserially together and at selected locations, receptacle legs 44 aredefined by the addition of flexible branching conduit units 34 asdepicted in illustration 58. These receptacle legs extend upwardly andsupply power to the receptacle box assemblies 46 illustrated in greaterdetail in illustration 59. Additionally, one of the receptacle legs 44also extends to a floor box 61 (see also FIG. 20) formed with aninternal compartment and a hinged door 62. This floor box 61 further hasa receptacle 49 connected to the conduit unit 34 at the downstreamdouble plug 41 that connects to the floor box 61 and is accessiblewithin the interior compartment thereof.

Instead of the floor-to-ceiling wall panels 20, it also is known toprovide conventional space-dividing wall panel systems such as wallpanel systems 65 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

More particularly as to FIG. 3, the panel system 65 is defined by aplurality of conventional wall panels 68 which are oriented in anupright orientation to define a plurality of work stations 69 sidewardlyadjacent thereto. These wall panels 68 and the wall panels 65 areillustrated in a representative configuration but it will be understoodby the skilled artisan that any commercially available wall panel systemmay be used and outfitted with power through the use of the variouscomponents of the power distribution system 10.

In this regard, each of the wall panels 68 is formed with a base raceway70 at the bottom edge thereof that is enclosed on opposite sides byraceway covers 71. The cavities defined by the raceways 70 open seriallyone into the other to define continuous passages through whichappropriate cabling may be installed.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of modular power distributionassemblies (PDA's) 73 are illustrated in a serially connectedconfiguration. The PDA's 73 have a modular length which generallycorresponds to the modular length of the individual wall panels 68 andas such, the opposite ends of the PDA's terminate proximate the oppositeside edges 74 of the wall panels 68. To interconnect the PDA's 73 andspan the joint between adjacent wall panels 68, additional flexconnectors 75 are connected at their opposite ends to a seriallyadjacent pair of PDA's so that power extends continuously through thePDA's 73 and flex connectors 75. At selected locations along the lengthof the interconnected PDA's 73, additional receptacles 49 can be pluggedinto the PDA's 73 or removed therefrom as desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, the building configuration as illustrated has anenlarged column 77 that has power supplying cabling therein comprising abox in-feed assembly 80. The assembly 80 includes a wall feed connectorunit 81 which comprises a main in-feed connector 82 configured toconnect to a conduit unit 34 similar to the above-described receptacle49. In-feed connector 82 is then covered by a conventional face plate 83as seen in illustration 84 of FIG. 4. The wall feed connector unit 81has a double connector plug 85 at the downstream end thereof formedsimilar to the double plug 41 referenced above. This double plug 85connects to a PDA 73 which in turn connects to additional PDA's 73 byintermediate flex connectors 75.

Additionally, the receptacles 49 connect to the PDA's 73 so as to beaccessible from the wall panel raceways 70 through the raceway covers71. While the receptacles 49 are illustrated on one side of the wallpanel 68, identical receptacles 49 also are connectable on the oppositesides of the PDA 73 so as to be accessible from the opposite side of thewall panel 68. As to FIG. 4, power may be supplied to the interior spacethrough the provision of a tubular rectangular power in-feed column 66which projects through a ceiling tile 26 and has a pair of the flexibleconduit or wiring units 34 extending downwardly therethrough andprojecting outwardly from the bottom of the column 66. The power issupplied initially to the upstream PDA 73 by connection of the doubleplugs 41 of the flexible conduit units 34 that extend through the column66. The double plugs 41 therefore extend into the wall panel system 65and supply power to vertically stacked PDA's 73.

It will be understood from the following discussion that the powerdistribution system 10 comprises a variety of different systemcomponents including both those illustrated herein and additionalcomponents which may be developed using the principles embodied withinthe specific components disclosed herein. The representativeillustrations of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2-4 are provided for illustrativepurposes, and the skilled artisan will also readily understand that thesystem 10 is readily configurable in a wide variety of configurationsand usable for both wall receptacles, lighting and other hard-wiredfixtures and equipment depending upon the assembly of the variouscomponents and the arrangements of the various building cavities foundduring the installation process.

II. System Components

The various system components are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS.5-37. It will be understood that the system components are individuallyselected depending upon the specific circuit design being developed. Assuch, the various system components are all designed to have commonconnectors that are compatible with each other so as to be readilyusable in a wide variety of applications.

Referring to FIG. 5, the power distribution assembly 73 is illustratedwhich has a relatively rigid and a fixed length so that it is suitablyadapted for mounting in the raceway 70 such as of a wall panel 68 orother office furniture or similar component. While wall panels 68 areone type of office furniture component, the institutional and officefurniture industry broadly supplies other components such as desking foroutfitting office and work areas and which include internal racewaystherein which are suitable for receiving a PDA 73. As such, the PDA 73may be formed of a variety of modular lengths that generally correspondto the modular sizes of available wall panels 68 or other officecomponents.

The PDA 73 generally comprises a main body 88 which is formed as anelongate, hollow casing 89 that has a plurality of electrical conductorsextending longitudinally therethrough between the opposite ends as willbe described in further detail hereinafter. The opposite ends of thecasing 89 each include a pair of contact blocks 91 which are positionedin side-by-side relation so that a pair of contact blocks 91 areprovided at each of the opposite casing ends. The contact blocks 91 havea contact-receiving slotted end 92 and a plug-end 93 wherein the plugends 93 are hermaphroditic so that each plug end 93 of a contact block91 may be readily plugged into and inter-engaged with a compatiblecontact block on another system component such as the flex connector 75.Preferably, the various end connectors of the system components areoppositely keyed to either have an A configuration or B configuration aswill be discussed.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the contact blocks 91 are still made tobe “handed” by primarily by the below-described keying feature but alsosecondarily by the addition of resiliently flexible locking fingers 94which project longitudinally outwardly in cantilevered relation toprovide locking engagement with a serially-adjacent system componentincluding the flex connector 75 or the in-feed connector 82 describedabove. The provision of the locking fingers 94 thereby are only providedon each contact block 91 configured as an A connector 73A which Aconfiguration is primarily defined by the keying feature that preventsincorrect engagement of incompatible components.

Additionally, the casing 89 is provided with a receptacle contact block95 mounted to each of the opposite casing faces 96. These receptaclecontact blocks 95 have a contact-receiving slotted end 97 that allowsfor connection of the contact block 95 with the interior conductorswithin the casing 89. Further, the receptacle contact blocks 95 alsohave a hermaphroditic plug end 98 formed similar to the plug ends 93described above. These plug ends 98 are adapted for plugging engagementwith a standard receptacle 49. While the receptacle contact block 95 isfunctionally and structurally similar to the end plug sections 93, thereceptacle contact block 95 is also handed similar to the end contactblocks 91. In the case of the receptacle contact block 95, thiscomponent does not include the above-described locking fingers 94 butinstead include outwardly projecting catches 99 on the top and bottomthereof that are each configured to engage a locking finger of areceptacle 41 as will be described hereinafter. As such, the contactblock 95 defines a B connector 73A that is pluggable with acorresponding A connector but not to another B connector. This featurewill be described greater detail herein.

Next as to FIG. 6, a flexible furniture connector or flex connector 75is illustrated which comprises a main body 101 which extendslongitudinally and is defined by a flexible casing 102 having aplurality of internal conductors extending longitudinally therethrough.The opposite ends of the casing 102 have end connectors 103 thereonwhich are formed identical to each other. The end connectors 103 includea contact block 104 which is electrically connected to the internalconductors of the casing 102 and has an end plug section 105 that ishermaphroditic and readily connectable to other hermaphroditic plugsections provided in the other system components.

While the end plug section 105 is hermaphroditic, the contact block 104is made to be handed by the provision primarily of the below-describedkeying feature and also secondarily by the provision of catches 106 onthe top and bottom surfaces thereof which thereby are only provided on aB connector 75B adapted for engagement with the locking fingers 94, forexample, of the PDA 73 (FIG. 5) on an A connector. As such, the end plugsections 105 of the flex connector 75 can be plugged into any of the endplug sections 93 of the end contact blocks 91 so as to electricallyconnect the flex connector 75 with the PDA 73. In other words, the Bconnector 75B can connect with the A connector 73A. Upon suchengagement, the locking fingers 94 of the respective end contact block91 engage the catches 106 on the flex connector contact block 104 so asto mechanically engage same together and prevent inadvertentdisengagement.

As will be described further herein, the various end plug sections 93and 105 as well as the other plug connectors of the system componentsalso preferably include a keying feature which will restrict usage ofthe various system components to a desired voltage level which typicallywould be any conventional voltage levels found in non-residentialbuilding construction, such as 120 volt, 208 volt, 277 volt, 347 voltservice, 480 volt, or 600 volt. The system also is usable withconventional residential service such as 120 volt and 240 volt service.It will be understood that the system is readily adaptable to any ofthese electrical voltages. The keying feature is defined to be usablewith a selected three voltages although the actual voltage levelsassociated with the keying feature may be varied, and the keying featuremay be modified to accommodate more than three selected voltages or evenless.

Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the PDA 73,flex connector 75 and the above-described wall feed connector 81 and theinternal wiring arrangements thereof. First as to the illustratedstructures of these components, the above-described PDA 73 has the endcontact blocks 91 and the receptacle contact blocks 95. While the plugsections of these contact blocks 91 and 95 are hermaphroditic, themechanical structure thereof also includes the keying feature andsecondarily, the respective locking fingers 94 and catches 99 whichthereby differentiates these end contact blocks one from the other. Forreference purposes, the contact blocks 91 with the locking fingers 95are described and diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 7 as each beingused with the afore-mentioned A configuration which is generallydifferentiated from the receptacle contact blocks 95 which aredesignated as having the B configuration due to the structure of thekeying feature and also the provision of the catches 99 on the upper andlower surfaces thereof. As such, two opposed connectors having differentconfigurations are connectable together, for example, A and B connectorsmay be connected together, but two opposed connectors having the sameconfiguration, such as an A and A configuration or B and Bconfiguration, are not connectable.

As to the PDA 73, the illustrated embodiment is labeled as athree-circuit PDA wherein five conductor wires extend through the casing89 and define circuits 1, 2 and 3 which circuits are electricallyaccessible through each of the A connectors 73A and the B connectors73B. In this regard, the five wires define the three circuits whereinthree of the conductor wires each define a respective hot conductor of arespective circuit, while a fourth one of the five wires defines acommon neutral use by all three circuits, and the fifth wire defines thesafety ground for these circuits. It will be understood that variouscomponents typically are formed in a five-wire, three-circuitconfiguration but some of the components also have a three-wire, singlecircuit configuration either in a dedicated single circuit configurationor a circuit selectable, three-wire configuration which allows forselection and tapping off of one of the three circuits defined in afive-wire, three-circuit component. Also, while five wires and threecircuits has been selected as a system convention, the system is readilyadaptable by resizing and reconfiguring the components so as to haveadditional wires to define additional circuits or possibly provide arespective neutral for each of the three hot wires.

Also, the five wires could be used in a two-circuit configurationdefining two circuits each with a hot and neutral using four of the fivewires, with the fifth wire serving as the ground wire. This also is truefor the other five wire components.

As to the flex connector 75 of FIG. 7, this flex connector 75 has thecasing 102 and the end connectors 103 that comprise the end plugsections 105. As diagrammatically illustrated on the right side of FIG.7, the casing 102 preferably is a plastic casing that is over moldedonto internal conductor wires wherein the illustrated design has fivewires defining the three circuits like the PDA 73 described above. Thesefive wires and the three electrical circuits defined thereby areelectrically accessible through the end plug sections 105 of the endconnectors 103. It is noted that these end connectors 103 have a Bconfiguration and hence are labeled as connectors 75B for descriptivepurposes. These connectors 75B thereby carry the same three circuits asthat defined above for the PDA 73 such that when the flex connectors 75and PDA 73 are connected together, the three circuits are carriedserially through the interconnected components. It is noted that the Bconnector 75B may be interconnected with either one of the pair of Aconnectors 73A of the PDA 73 which are wired together. Since theinternal wires of the PDA 73 and the electrical contacts disposed in theA connector 73A are all interconnected together, the connection ofconnectors 75B to a single one of the A connectors 73A results in anelectrical circuit being completed and all three of the circuits beingaccessible through any of the remaining A connectors 73A.

As seen in FIG. 4, the flex connectors 73 are typically locateddownstream of the wall feed connector 81 which supplies the power to thefirst PDA 73. As such, when the PDA 73 and flex connector 75 areconnected together, the leftward end of the illustrated flex connector75 typically is the upstream end receiving power from an upstream PDA73, while the right end of the flex connector 75 is a downstream endthat supplies electrical power to a downstream one of the PDA's 73. Forsuch PDA's 73, however, the infeed may be at the opposite rightward end,or even in the middle of a run of PDA's 73. For example, in FIG. 38, theinfeed may be supplied to any of free ends of the PDA's 73 such as thoselocated in the upper right or lower right corners of this figure. Stillfurther, one of the B connectors 122B of the infeed conduit connector 34may be connected to any open one of the A connectors 73A of the variousPDA's 73 which are open and available for use.

As to the wall feed connector 81 (FIG. 7), this wall feed connector unit81 includes the upstream in-feed connector 82 that is formed with anin-feed contact block 108 and has an in-feed end plug section 109 thatis adapted to receive three electrical circuits therein in a five-wireconfiguration as diagrammatically illustrated on the right side of FIG.7. This in-feed contact block 108 is formed substantially similar to thecontact block 91 and includes resilient locking fingers 110 projectingtherefrom for locking engagement with an upstream contact block.Accordingly, the in-feed contact block 108 essentially is configuredwith an A configuration so that the in-feed connector 82 is referencedherein as A connector 82A.

The wall feed connector unit 81 further includes a liquid tight flexiblemetal conduit or cable 112 which carries five wires defining threecircuits like that described above. The downstream end of the conduit112 includes a double connector 113. This double connector 113 comprisesa pair of contact blocks 114 supported in an outer connector housing115. Each of these contact blocks 114 provide access to the threeelectrical circuits carried therethrough and have a B configuration soas to each be labeled as a B connector 113B for descriptive purposes. Assuch, these double B connectors 113B supply electrical circuits thatinterconnect to a pair of downstream PDA connectors 73A to supply powerto the three circuits defined therethrough. This interconnection isillustrated further in FIG. 4.

With the foregoing components, the three circuits can be routed througha continuous string of raceways formed in the wall panels 68 or otheroffice furniture components.

Referring to FIG. 8, three variations of the flexible conduit or wiringunit 34 are illustrated and designated as 34, 34-1 and 34-2. The conduitunit 34 is provided with an upstream single end connector 117 whichcomprises a contact block 118 supported within an outer housing 119. Theouter housing 119 and contact block 118 further support a pair ofcantilevered locking fingers 120 so that the end connector 117 has an Aconfiguration and is designated as A connector 117A.

The conduit unit 34 further includes a flexible metal conduit 121 whichis provided with various lengths, such as 2, 9, 15, 25, 50 and 100 feet.These variable lengths allow for selection of appropriate lengths whendesigning the electrical system in which the conduit unit 34 is to beused. The downstream end of the conduit 121 includes a double endconnector 122 which has an outer housing 123 that supports a pair ofcontact blocks 126 therein.

The contact blocks 126 are formed substantially the same as theabove-described contact blocks 91 and 114 and as such, the discussion ofsuch contact blocks 126 that is found hereinafter in significant detailalso is applicable to other similar contact blocks. Also, all of thecontact blocks used in the system components are substantially similarsuch that a detailed discussion is not required of each component.

As to the double end connector 122, this end connector 122 notably isincluded with slots 123 on opposite sides of the housing 119 thatessentially define catches for engagement with appropriate lockingfingers 120 or even the locking fingers 94 and 110 described above. Assuch, the contact blocks 118 define end plug sections 123 with the endconnector 117 essentially defining an A configuration 117A while thecontact blocks 126 define B connectors 122B.

As seen on the left side of FIG. 8, the conduit 121 carries five wiresin a three-circuit configuration wherein circuits 1, 2 and 3 areaccessible through each of the connectors 117A and 122B.

As to the conduit or wiring unit 34-1, this conduit unit 34-1 is formedsubstantially the same as conduit unit 34 except that it is provided ina three wire, one circuit configuration. In particular, the samecomponent parts are provided, namely housings 119 and 123, and thecontact blocks 118 and 126 which define connectors 127A and 128B. Thecontact blocks 118 and 126 are the same as those previously used exceptthat only three of five available contact slots are used within suchblocks 118 and 126 to accommodate the three wires that arefactory-selected so as to connect to one of circuits 1, 2 or 3 dependingupon the position of a hot wire within the contact blocks 118 and 126.Since only three wires are provided through the conduit, the conduit isreferenced herein as conduit 129.

Next as to conduit 34-2, this uses the same conduit 129 having threewires, defining a single circuit. The downstream end of conduit unit34-2 also has a downstream end connector 131 in a double configurationhaving contact blocks 126 therein with the hot wire disposed in acircuit 1 position. This is a preference but it is possible to have thehot wire located in the other circuit 2 or circuit 3 positions. As such,the contact blocks 118 define B connectors 131B which have five contactslots therein but only one of which is assigned or supplied withelectricity in the circuit 1 position with the neutral and groundpositions also being in use.

As to the upstream end, a single end connector 132 is provided which hasa circuit selectable feature built therein. This upstream end connector132 uses a circuit-selectable contact block assembly 134 that isengagable with any one of the contact blocks except that the circuitselection feature is built therein for the hot wire so as to select anyone of circuits 1, 2 or 3 that is being supplied by an upstream systemcomponent such as the conduit unit 34. This circuit selection feature isdescribed further herein.

Referring to FIG. 9, a five-wire fixture tap 136 is provided to tap offpower from upstream system components for hard wiring to a fixture orpiece of equipment. The fixture tap 136 is illustrated having a singleend connector 137 that essentially is formed the same as the endconnector 117 and includes a housing 138 and contact block 139 in an Aconfiguration designated as 137A. The end connector 137 connects to afive-wire conduit 140 which carries five electrical wires 141therethrough.

The bundle of wires 141 extends through the flexible conduit 140 and hasfree ends projecting outwardly of a conduit box connector 142 having aclamp 143 on one end for clamping onto the conduit 140, and a threadedengagement section 144 that may be clamped onto other electricalcomponents such as a knock-out hole formed in a metal box or fixturehousing wherein the engagement section 143 would then be clamped orfastened to the knockout by a conventional threaded nut as such is usedwith conduit box connectors of this type.

As illustrated on the left side of FIG. 9, the conduit 140 has the fivewires 141 therein in a typical three-circuit arrangement. In the contactblock 139, the wires connect to appropriate contacts in a verticallystacked configuration with the topmost wire being assigned as the groundconductor G, the next wire being the neutral conductor N, and the nextsuccessive wires serving as lines 1 through 3 L1, L2 and L3. Theinternal wires 141 preferably have appropriate color coding using normalindustry convention.

Referring to FIG. 10, two additional fixture taps 136-1 and 136-2 areillustrated. As to fixture tap 136-1, this is formed substantially thesame as that described above with an end connector 146 in a similarmanner having a housing 147 and then having a circuit selectable contactblock assembly 148 therein which functions the same as contact blockassembly 134 described above. Contact block assembly 148 connects tothree wires 150 that extend internally of the flexible conduit 149 whichwires 150 project outwardly of a conduit box connector 151.

The end connector 146 has locking fingers 152 such that connector 147Ais formed in an A configuration. In the contact block assembly 148, aslidable contact shroud 154 is provided that houses an electricalcontact and is repositionable in one of three positions associated withline 1 L1, line 2 L2, or line 3 L3, so that the fixture tap 136-1 may beused for electrical connection to one of the three circuits beingsupplied from an upstream system component such as conduit unit 34.Thus, the wires 150 projecting outwardly from the conduit 149 arededicated to a single circuit for any downstream connection such as to alighting fixture or other equipment being served by the electricalsystem.

The fixture tap 136-2 is formed substantially the same as that describedabove in that it includes the same end connector 146 defining an Aconnector 146A. However, in place of the armored conduit 149, a moreconventional flexible cord 155 is provided having the wires 156extending therethrough and projecting outwardly from a free end 157thereof. This cord 155 could be clamped to a knockout hole using aconventional box wire clamp with the wires 156 hardwired to afixture/equipment.

Again, a movable circuit selection contact shroud 154 is provided sothat the fixture tap 36-2 is connectable to tap off any one of the threecircuits carried from an upstream system component if such were present.It is possible that the upstream component only supplies a singlecircuit wherein the circuit selecting shroud 154 would need to bepositioned only in the live circuit position of the upstream component.

Referring to FIG. 11, the system 10 further includes a transitionstarter 159 which is field connectible to an MC cable or flexible metalconduit 160 which would be supplied on a job site by a customer. Thisupstream cable or conduit 160 includes internal wires 161 therein havingexposed free ends 162 wherein insulation has been stripped in aconventional manner by an installer. The transition starter 159 has anouter housing 163 comprising a base plate 164 and an upper cover 165that are fastened together along peripheral flanges 166 and 167 byappropriate screws 168. As such, conduit clamp recesses 169 at the endof the housing 163 clampingly engage the outer sheathing or metalconduit of the cable or conduit 160 for a rigid connection therebetween.

Within the housing 163, a pair of end contact blocks 171 are provided invertically stacked relation so as to define a pair of connectors 172Bhaving a B configuration due to the provision of slots 173 formed in thehousing sidewalls. These slots 173 serve as catches for the engagementof the resilient locking fingers provided on the various compatiblesystem components being supplied with power from the transition starter159.

Electrical contacts are provided within the contact block 171, which areconnected by intermediate wires 174 to a terminal block 175. Theterminal block 175 includes a first row of clamping screws 176 thatclamp to the free ends of the intermediate wires 174. Further theterminal block 175 includes an additional row of clamping screws 177that receive and clampingly engage the stripped wire ends 162 of thecable or conduit 160. As such, the customer supplied cable 160 may bemanually secured to the housing 163 by an electrician with the strippedwire ends 162 engaged to the terminal blocks 175. Typically, the cableor conduit 160 would supply power to the transition starter 159 andhence would supply power to circuits 1, 2 and 3 through the B connectors172B.

Referring to FIG. 12, a similar component is the transition tap 178 thatconnects to a downstream MC cable or flexible metal conduit 179 in amanner similar to the transition starter 159 to provide power to the MCCable or conduit 179. In particular, the cable/conduit 179 includesinternal wires 180 having stripped free ends 181. The transition tap 178has the housing 182 provided with a base plate 183 and cover 184 thatare screwed together so that recessed clamp sections 185 essentiallydefine a conduit clamp securely engaging the cable/conduit 179. Withinthe housing 182, a similar terminal block 186 is provided with rows ofclamping screws 187 and 188 for field connection of the cable 179thereto.

This terminal block 186 in turn connects to intermediate wires 189 whichin turn connect to the internal contacts of a contact block 190, whichterminal block 190 is supported within an insert 191. The insert 191defines a rectangular cavity that defines a cap 192 that is adapted toreceive an end plug section of any of the terminal blocks of a doubleplug configuration but is formed of insulative material so as not toeffect any electrical connection therein. This cap 192 thereby serves tocap off the end plug section of a conventional B configuration connectorwhile allowing an adjacent B connector to be plugged into the Aconnector 178A. In other words, when the transition tap 178 is connectedto a double plug having a B configuration such as the B connectors 122Bof the conduit unit 34, one of the B connectors 122B would engage withthe A connector 178A defined by the terminal block 190 while the other Bconnector 122B is enclosed in the cap 192. Thus, the 3 circuits definedby 5 wires would be passed downstream from an upstream flexible conduit34 to the downstream transition tap 178 wherein the cable 179 could thenbe continued downstream for any suitable wiring connections associatedwith the use of such cables or conduits 179.

Referring to FIG. 13, additional system components are illustratedtherein as a comparison of the starter components used to start anindividual run of electrical circuits. It is noted that all of thesestarters are considered to have a B configuration and may be used in anumber of different configurations and locations. Notably, these startercomponents typically include a contact block formed substantially thesame as those described above except that additional mounting structuresare provided depending on the location to which such components aremounted.

Beginning at the top left of FIG. 13, a three-circuit starter 194 isdepicted that has a B connector 194B defined by a contact block 195secured between two fastened halves of a housing 196. The end of thehousing 196 includes an electrical box connector 197 similar to aconventional conduit box connector such as that described above thatwould be mounted to a conventional metal enclosure such as an electricalbox, junction box, or power panel. Since this component defines threecircuits therein, five wires 197 project outwardly therefrom forhard-wire connection to the power supply with the B connector 194B beingaccessible.

In the upper right of FIG. 13, a single circuit starter 199 is providedhaving a similar configuration to starter 194 in that starter 199 isdefined by the contact block 200, housing 201, and conduit box connector202 which is adapted to mount to an electrical box. As such, the starter199 is configured to be mounted to a conventional knock-out of aconventional electrical box. The single circuit defined in this starter199 only requires three electrical wires 203 projecting therefrom forelectrical connection to the power supply within the box to which thestarter is connected. As a result, the starter 199 has a single outputdefined by the B connector 204B.

Next down on the left of FIG. 13, a three-circuit, panel-mounted starter206 is illustrated which comprises a contact block 207 having arectangular mounting plate 208 thereon that has screw holes for screwingof the starter 206 to an electrical panel. The slotted end section 209of the contact block 207 has a plurality and preferably five wires 210projecting rearwardly for hard wiring within the electrical panel. Asingle output is defined by the B connector 206B.

Next down on the right, the starter 211 is illustrated that only hasthree wires 212 projecting outwardly therefrom to define a singlecircuit that is hard wired into the electrical panel. The starter 211has the contact block 213 supported in the electrical panel by themounting plate 214 and essentially defines the single output 211B formedas a B connector.

Next down on the left, the starter 216 again has five wires 217connected within an electrical panel. These wires connect to thecontacts of a pair of vertically stacked contact blocks 218 that arewired in parallel so that dual outputs are defined by the B connectors216B. The starter is supported in the electrical panel by the dualmounting plate 219. The single circuit, three-wire starter 221 is alsoillustrated on the right wherein the contact blocks 222 are supplied bythree wires 223 to define two B connectors 221B.

Next down on the right, a flexible conduit starter 225 is illustratedwhich is formed with a dual plug 226 at one downstream end that definestwo B connectors 225B that in turn connect upstream to a flexiblefive-wire three-circuit conduit 227, which terminates at a box connector228 for mechanical connection to the knock-out of an electrical box,fixture or panel.

Lastly, at the bottom right of FIG. 13, the starter 230 has its conduit231 provided with three wires joining to the dual plug 232 to define apair of B connectors 230B. Since the conduit 231 only has three wirestherein defining a single circuit, the contacts of the B connectors 230Bonly supply power, preferably for circuit 1.

Referring to FIG. 14, an array of different starters are shown toillustrate how the above-described starters of FIG. 13 may be modifiedinto different circuit configurations without varying the number ofwires provided therein. For example in the top row, the starter 194 hasfive wires 198 which would be dedicated to a three-circuit configurationwith three line wires, one neutral and one ground. The modified starter194-1 is provided also with five wires 198 but could be dedicated to atwo-circuit configuration wherein the five wires would be dedicated totwo line wires, two neutral wires, and a single ground. All of thesestarters preferably use a common contact block with some also making useof a spacer 233 to join a plurality of such contact blocks together.

The circuit assignment of five wires similarly could be applied to thethree-circuit starter 206 and the two-circuit starter 206-1, and thethree-circuit starter 216 and the two-circuit starter 216-1.

Additionally, the three-wire, single circuit starters 198, 211 and 221are illustrated.

It will be understood that the same component parts may still be usedbut an alternative number of wires, such as four wires 234, 235 and 236could be provided to define modified starters 198-1, 211-1 and 221-1having essentially the same configuration. With four wires, two circuitscould be defined in such starters 198-1, 211-1 and 221-1 wherein thefour wires would comprise two line wires, one neutral and one ground. Itwill be understood that using four wires in this manner is also possiblein the other system components.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, using the same arrangement of contactblocks and housings as those described above, the fixture taps of FIG.15 may be provided that are mounted using conventional conduit hardwareto the housings of fixtures such as lighting fixtures. For example, asingle circuit selectable fixture tap 33 is illustrated which waspreviously referenced in FIG. 1A. This fixture tap 33 has a contactblock assembly 238 with a circuit selectable contact shroud 239 that ismovable between the line 1, line 2 and line 3 positions. The contactblock 238 is supported in the housing 240, which housing 240 has afixture engagable collar 241 projecting downwardly at a right angle tothe contact block assembly 238 wherein three wires 242 project therefromfor hard wiring to a fixture. The contact block assembly 238 therebydefines an A connector 33A since resilient locking fingers 243 areprovided. Thus, the A connector 33A can be connected to an upstream Bconnector such as the B connector 122B of the conduit unit 34 as seen inFIG. 1A.

By selecting a circuit, one of circuits 1, 2 and 3 may be selected forsupply to the lighting fixture 30. While the fixture tap 33 is a 90°fixture tap, an in-line fixture tap 245 can be provided with the samecomponent parts except that the housing 246 has a box connector 247projecting rearwardly in line with the A connector 245 defined at thefront of the fixture tap 245. Here again a circuit selectable contactshroud 247 is provided for selection of one of circuits 1, 2 or 3.

While the circuit selection feature is provided in the fixture taps 33and 245, circuit selection need not be provided wherein five wires areused in a fixed arrangement. For example, in FIGS. 15 and 16, a 90°fixture tap 249 is illustrated with an A connector 249A, while anin-line fixture tap 250 is provided with an A connector 250A.

Referring to FIG. 17, similar construction techniques are used todevelop device taps with a B configuration for tapping off circuits andhaving free wires projecting there from for hardwiring to variousdevices. In this regard, a 3 circuit, 5 wire device tap 253 is providedwith a housing 254 and interior contact block 255 and fingers 256 thatessentially define a B connector 253B. Wires 256 extend rearwardly forhardwired connection to various circuit components such as anoff-the-shelf receptacle. In device tap 253, 3 circuits passtherethrough due to the five wires 257. This device tap 253 is adaptedfor connection to components within an electrical box as will bedescribed in further detail hereinafter.

A similar device tape 259 is also illustrated in a 3 wire single circuitconfiguration having a selectable input defined by a circuit selectablecontact block assembly 260 which defines the circuit selectable Aconnector 259A. The wires 261 that project from the device tap 259 maythen be hardwired to suitable off the shelf devices such as switches andreceptacles.

Also, a rigid 90° conduit tap 263 is provided which defines an Aconnector 263A and has a box connector 264 from which long lengths offive wires 265 project for downstream wiring. Also, a rigid conduit tap266 is provided if a circuit selection feature is necessary for the Aconnector 266A. Here, only 3 wires 267 exit the box connector 268.

As to FIGS. 18A and 18B, it also may be desirable to provide forfield-wiring junction boxes such as the junction box 270 of FIGS. 18 aand 18B. The junction box 270 has an openable, hollow housing 271 with acover 272 that is removable to provide access to the box interior. Thesidewalls of the housing 271 are formed so as to support a pair ofcontact blocks 273 adjacent locking fingers 274 to define B connectors273A.

The B connectors 273B are downstream connectors that allow forconnection to various A connectors of the other system components. TheseB connectors 273B are electrically connected within the box housing 271to an upstream A connector 275A defined by another similar contact block276 adjacent fingers 276-1. The A connector 275 may receive power fromany of the B connectors described above, while a rectangular cap 277 isprovided adjacent to the A connector 275. As seen at the bottom of FIG.18, the five conductor wires in the A connector 275 have the samevertical orientation of ground, neutral, line 1, line 2 and line 3 whichcarries over and similarly is provided in the B connectors 273B.Notably, these B connectors 273B are connected in parallel. As such, theA connector 278 defines a power in port, while the B connectors 273Bdefine power out port.

Additional ports 279 and 280 are defined which are connected internallyof the housing 271 so as to allow for passage of power out through Aconnectors 279A and 280A. By providing a cap 281 and 282 adjacent to theA connectors 279A and 280A, it is possible to use a conduit unit 34 withthe B connectors 122B connected to the A connectors 279A or 280A. Thiswould then allow electrical current to be routed downstream to the Aconnector 117A which in turn could be connected to an electrical box ifdesired.

Alternatively, the ports could be made field configurable by removingthe housing cover 272 and rewiring the interior of the box 270 so thatports 279 and 280 are made to have a B configuration as seen in FIG.18A. A junction box 270 of FIG. 18 thereby can be used to generatevarious wiring configurations simply by plugging of components togetherand while minimizing hard wiring of the circuits defined thereby.

In FIG. 19, a wall-mounted single-gang electrical box 48 is illustratedwhich is affixed within the building cavities in appropriate locationsso as to accommodate system devices such as switches and receptacles.The single-gang box 48 has a generally conventional construction withtop and bottom walls 283 and 284 that have vertically depending screwtabs 285 that allow for use of conventional off-the-shelf receptaclesand switches.

The box 48 further is uniquely configured so as to accommodate thesingle and double plug connectors as described in further detail herein.In this regard, the top box wall 283 has knock-outs which are normallyclosed but are illustrated as being open in FIG. 19. The top wall 283includes a top knock-out 286 having front and rear knockout sections 287and 288, while the bottom wall 284 includes a single elongate bottomknock-out 289. It is noted that the knock-outs 286 and 289 allow forentry of the single and double plugs of the conduit units 34 into thebox, and then rigid connection of these plug connectors to the top orbottom box wall 283 or 284 as will be described further herein.

Further as to FIG. 19, a double-gang box 291 is also illustrated thathas a top wall 292 with two knock-outs 293 and 294 which may be punchedout either to define a single opening like in knock-out 293, or a doubleopening like in knock-out 294. This is selectively formed duringinstallation by an installer. The bottom wall 295 is different in thatsuch includes an elongate generally oval knock-out 296 that allows forthe passage of conduit units 34 out of the box.

The forward edges of the walls 292 and 295 each include upstanding tabs297 to define two side-by-side mounting locations for conventionalreceptacles or switches.

FIG. 19 also illustrates the triple-gang box 299 having three mountingslots with three knock-outs 300, 301 and 302 in the top wall 303. Thebottom wall 304 includes an elongate oval knock-out 305.

These boxes 48, 294 and 299 are wall-mountable and may be used in asimilar manner to conventional wall boxes when constructing a building.Preferably, the boxes 48, 294 and 299 define mounting locations thereinfor switches and receptacles wherein the spacing for each mountinglocation is the same as conventional electrical boxes, for example, sothat conventional face plates and off the shelf components may be used.

Referring to FIG. 20, a floor box 61 is illustrated in more detail,which box has a housing 307 with an upper flange 308 that is supportedon the floor surface. Additionally, the housing 307 supports the hingeddoor 62 thereon and closes off the interior box compartment 309.

The housing 307 has the side walls formed with a selection ofconventional circular knock-outs 310 as well as a knock-out 311corresponding to that used in the above-described wall mount boxes suchas box 48. This knock-out 311 fixedly receives the double end connector122 of the conduit unit 34 therein. Additionally, the knock-out 311aligns with the corresponding knock-out 286 of the single-gang box 48used herein. This box 48 is then joined to the floor box wall 307wherein an additional receptacle 49 is then plugged into the endconnector 122. Thereafter, a face plate 50 is then screwed to theappropriate fastener tabs 285. In this manner, the receptacle 49 issecured within an appropriate box 48 and electrically connected theretomerely by plugging of the components together and then installation ofthe face plate 50. This greatly simplifies the assembly and wiringprocess on site during the installation phase. It is noted that theelectrical box 61 also may be provided with suitable data connectors 313where desired.

Referring to FIG. 21, this figure illustrates the mounting process forinstalling a receptacle in a wall cavity 16. In this embodiment, asingle-gang box 48 is mounted to a wall stud 14 by appropriate fasteners312 which may be screws or nails that engage through mounts 313 on thebox 48. In the second step, the double plug 122 on a conduit unit 34 isplugged downwardly into the upper knock-out 286 on the box 48 whereinthe B connectors 122B on the conduit unit 34 are accessible from theinterior of the box 48. In step 3, a receptacle 49 is inserted inwardlyinto the box 48 and then shifted upwardly so as to be plugged into oneof the B connectors 122B and in particular, the frontmost B connector122B. In the fully installed position that can be seen in step 4, thereceptacle 49 projects a small distance from the front of the box 48wherein a conventional face plate 50 is screwed onto the box tabs 285.Hence, the connection steps merely involve plugging engagement of thecomponents together which greatly simplifies the installation process.

In FIG. 22, the same process also may be used to connect a switch 315 ofa switch assembly 38. In particular, in steps 1 and 2, the electricalbox 48 again is fastened to a wall stud by fasteners 312, after which inthe second step, the A end of the conduit unit 34 is engaged in theknock-out 286. In step 3, the switch 315 may be inserted into the boxinterior and then shifted upwardly into plugging engagement with theforwardmost A connector 117A of end connector 117. Thereafter, a faceplate 50 may be screwed to the box 48 in the fourth and last step so asto be accessible through the wall sheeting 15.

FIG. 23 illustrates how the receptacle assembly of FIG. 21 may bereadily modified so as to replace the receptacle with the wall feedconnector unit 81 in the event that a wall panel system is to beinstalled adjacent an existing receptacle location. In particular, instep 1, the receptacle is removed by shifting the receptacle 49downwardly and then outwardly out of the box 48, and then inserting thein-feed connector 82 into the box 48 and plugging same upwardly intoengagement with the conduit unit 34. An appropriate face plate 50 isthen added to close off the electrical box 48.

In step 4, the downstream plug 85 is then connected to the PDA's 73disposed in the raceway of a wall panel 68 and particularly, by passingthrough the raceway cover 71. Hence, the receptacle location now becomesa supply location for supplying power to an arrangement of wall panels68. This is accomplished by simple unplugging of one system componentand plugging of an alternate component which is simple and quick andgreatly simplifies the re-arrangement of office furniture whichtypically occurs in normal use.

Referring to FIG. 24, two alternative receptacles are illustrated. Inparticular, receptacle 49-1 is a 15 amp duplex outlet while receptacle49-2 is a 20 amp duplex outlet. Each of these receptacles 49-1 and 49-2have a circuit selectable contact block 316 therein which is supportedin the receptacle housings 317-1 and 317-2. These contact blocks 316include a fixed contact portion 318-1 and 318-2 which accommodateneutral and ground wires and also include a movable contact shroud 319-1and 319-2 which are shiftable vertically between line 1, line 2 and line3 positions. As such, each of these receptacles 49-1 and 49-2 taps off asingle circuit and allows for plugging connection of equipment theretoby the conventional sets of prong openings 320-1 and 320-2 which may beplugged into the receptacle faces 321-1 and 321-2 in a generallyconventional manner. In this manner, electrical equipment, such ascomputers, which are plugged into the plug openings 320-1 and 320-2would be supplied with power, and would serve as a load on only thatspecific one of the three circuits that is being tapped off by themovable contact shroud 319-1 and 319-2.

These receptacles 49-1 and 49-2 would be factory manufactured. However,it is also possible to form a receptacle assembly 323 (FIG. 25) whichuses an off-the-shelf duplex receptacle 324 that is available throughany electrical supply house. This receptacle 324 is wired to theabove-described circuit selectable device tap 259 (FIG. 17). Inparticular, this device tap 259 is a movable contact shroud 325 thatallows for selection of a single one of the multiple circuits beingcarried through the power distribution circuit. The receptacle 324 ishard-wired to the tap wires 261 through connection of the hot, neutraland ground wires. Any suitable, commercially available receptacle 324 orother wiring device could also be connected to this device tap 259 forinstallation into the system. As such, if a device tap 259 is available,an installer could obtain a system device from a wiring supply house inthe event that a unique need arises during the installation process orif a device is required that is not part of the established productoffering comprising the distribution system 10.

Referring to FIG. 26, the receptacles 49-1 and 49-2 are furtherillustrated with the wiring thereof diagrammatically illustrated. Inparticular, the contact block assembly 316 also has resilient lockingfingers 326 so as to define A configuration connectors 316A in each ofthe receptacles 49-1 and 49-2.

As seen in the wiring diagram of FIG. 26, the contact block assembly 316has the movable contact shroud 319-1 (319-2) movable vertically betweenthe Line 1 and Line 3 positions for selection of one of these threecircuits. Internally of each of the receptacles 49-1 and 49-2, a hotconductor 328 is provided which is accessible through a prong slot 329.Also, a neutral conductor 330 is accessible through an associated prongslot 331 while a ground conductor 332 is accessible through a groundaperture 333. The illustrated shape of the openings 329, 331 and 333generally corresponds conventionally to a 15 amp receptacle 49-1,although this wiring arrangement is equally applicable to the 20 ampreceptacle 49-2 wherein the prong slot 331 would have the alternateshape illustrated by slot 331-1 shown in the isometric view of thereceptacle 49-2 in FIG. 26.

Typically, the receptacles 49-1 and 49-2 would have the conductors 328,330 and 332 defined by a combination of flexible wires and conductivecontact strips which frequently are found in other known receptacleconfigurations. One example of a known receptacle construction isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,971, owned by the assignee of thepresent invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. This patent discloses a receptacle having acircuit selection feature with a sliding block.

As to FIG. 26, while the neutral and ground conductors 330 and 332 arein a relatively stationary position within the respective receptaclehousing 317-1 or 317-2, the hot conductor 328 at least has a flexibleportion 334 connected to the movable contact shroud 319-1 (319-2) so asto move in unison with the shroud during circuit selection. This featureis discussed in further detail herein.

Referring to the switch components, FIG. 27 shows a switch 336 which isillustrated as having a switch housing 337 which supports a switchtoggle 338. The housing 337 further supports a contact block 339 thatdefines a B connector 339B.

FIG. 29 illustrates the internal circuitry hereof wherein the contactsin the contact block 339 are connected to internal ground, neutral andhot conductors 341, 342 and 343 wherein the switch toggle 338 wouldcontrol opening and closing of the single circuit controlled by thetoggle 338. The contact block 339 could be made so that it is pre-wiredfor connection to only a single one of the Line 1, Line 2 or Line 3circuits in the fixed configuration of FIG. 27, or also could have acircuit selectable, movable contact shroud 344 as illustrated in thecircuit diagram of FIG. 29.

Referring to FIG. 28, an alternate switch assembly 346 may be providedusing a conventional off-the-shelf switch 347 available from electricalsupply houses. The switch 347 has a decorative switch toggle 348 as partthereof. The switch 347 in turn is connected to a switch device pigtail350 having a contact block 351 defining a B connector 351B. The switchpigtail 350 has three pigtail wires 352 hanging therefrom which aremanually wired to the off-the-shelf switch 347 to define the switchassembly 346.

Referring to FIG. 30, a variety of switch components are illustrated andcompared to the switch assembly of FIG. 25. In particular at the top ofthe diagram, the switch assembly 346 is illustrated being connected tothe single pull switch 347. The switch pigtail 350 has the contact block351 provided with catches 353 on the sides thereof and defines the Bconnector 351B for connection to other A connector devices defining theswitch leg 35 being controlled by the switch assembly 346. The contactblock 351 is electrically connected to the pigtail wires 352 wherein theconnections thereof are closed by a housing 354. Hence, in the switchpigtail 350, the wires 352 define the hot and neutral conductors as wellas the ground wire.

Alternatively, a four-wire switch pigtail 356 may be provided whereinthe contact block 351 interconnects to four pigtail wires 357 that areconnected to a three-way switch 358. As such, the pigtail wires 357define three conductors and a ground wire that are wired in aconventional three-way switch configuration.

Additionally, a five-wire switch pigtail 360 is illustrated having fivepigtail wires 361 connected to the contact block 351 and in turn areconnected to a four-way switch 362. Here again, the five-wire 361 isdefined for circuit conductors and a ground wire. These switchassemblies as defined by the respective switches and device pigtails aredesigned for use within a wall-mounted electrical box wherein the Bconnector 351B is plugged to an appropriate A connector in theelectrical box such as box 48, with the appropriate switch beingfastened to the box and enclosed by a cover plate.

In comparison, the bottom of FIG. 30 illustrates the receptacle assembly323 having the receptacle pigtail 322 connected to an off-the-shelfreceptacle 324. This receptacle pigtail 322 is circuit selectable anddefines an A connector 322A.

As seen in the comparison in FIG. 31, the three-wire switch pigtail 350,the four-wire, three-way switch pigtail 356 and the four-way, five-wireswitch pigtail 360 are usable as described above. Further, the five-wireswitch pigtail 360 may be used for wiring of a two-level switch.Further, a four-way jumper cap 364 may be provided in place of afour-way switch. This jumper cap 364 has a contact block 365, a metalhousing 366 and internal jumpers within the housing 366 wiredappropriately to replace the four-way switch in the switch junction 387(FIG. 36). As previously described above, the various pigtail assembliesalso may be more easily replaced with pre-wired, factory-manufacturedswitches such as the switch 336.

The foregoing switch components are described and would be provided atthe end of a switch leg 35 to control system devices, and most commonly,lighting fixtures by using conventional wiring principles.

In addition to the individual switch components, the system 10 furtherincludes various switch connectors that allow for construction of switchcircuits, as well as the additional components for connecting lightingfixtures to this system.

In this regard, FIGS. 32 and 35 illustrate the switch connector 36 whichwas previously illustrated in FIG. 1A. This switch connector 36 includesa housing 368 and has a circuit selectable contact block assembly 369defining an A connector 369A for connection to the downstream Bconnectors 122B of a flexible conduit unit 34. This contact block islocated next to a recessed cap 370 wherein the contact block 369 wouldconnect to one of the B connectors 122B with the other B connector 122Bbeing enclosed within the cap 370 as generally indicated by arrow 371 inFIG. 1A. Alternatively, the end connector 122 may be shifted asindicated by arrow 372 so that only one of the end connectors 122B isconnected to the contact block 369 while the other end connector 122B isexposed as seen in FIG. 1A for connection to an additional downstreamconduit unit 34 supplied with power to all of its circuits.

Referring to FIGS. 32 and 35, the switch junction 36 also has anadditional contact block 373 defining an A connector 373A adjacent to acap 374. This contact block 373 in turn is connected to an additionalconduit unit 34 which would define a switch leg 35 that connects to ajunction box 48 and switch therein as previously described above. Thus,this would selectively control an additional output port 376 defined bycontact block 377 formed as a B connector 377B. Hence, the A connector369A defines an input port, the connector 373A defines a switch port,and the connector 377B defines an output port which would be used in theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1A. This switch junction 36 is wiredsimilar to that described below with respect to FIG. 35.

As to FIG. 35, an alternate switch junction 36-1 is illustrated having ahousing 368-1 which supports the circuit selectable contact block 369adjacent the cap 370. The additional contact block 373 is provideddefining the A connector 373A and a first outlet port 376 is providedand defined by the contact block 377. In this illustrated embodiment asecond output port 376 is defined by another contact block 378 whichdefines a B connector 378B.

As to the internal wiring illustrated in FIG. 35, the switch junction36-1 has the ground and neutral wires stationarily positioned in thecontact block 369 and connected to corresponding stationary positions inthe contact blocks 377 and 378 wherein the ground and neutral contactsin the blocks 377 and 378 are wired in parallel.

Additionally, the contact block assembly 369 includes the movablecontact shroud 379 that is movable for circuit selection of any of Line1, Line 2 or Line 3 carried by an upstream system component. Theinternal conductor connected to the contact shroud 379 thereby extendsand connects to the respective contacts E and the contact blocks 377 and378 which thereby is continuously powered and is usable for an emergencylighting system wherein the emergency lights remain off when power isbeing supplied thereto and automatically turn on in the absence ofelectrical power received through the E contacts. Also, the contactblocks 377 and 378 provide access to the ground and neutral contacts.

As to the contact block 373, this contact block has a contact hard-wiredto the ground contacts of blocks 369, 377 and 378. As the contact L isconnected to a downstream system component such as the conduit unit 34,the appropriate switch is connected to line L and then selectivelyprovides power to contacts R1 and R2 in contact block 373. These returnwires labeled as R1 and R2 in turn connect respectively to the S1 and S2contacts in contact blocks 377 and 378. Only one of these, such as R1,may be connected to the switch light for a single switch situationwherein additional downstream conduit units 34 may be selectivelyconnected to each of the B connectors 378B and 377B. It is possible,however, to use the R1 and R2 contacts to provide for two-level switchcontrol of two-level lighting, namely dim and bright, which would becontrolled through the switch leg.

Referring to FIG. 33, a switch connector 381 is illustrated as beingdeveloped for three/four way switch connections. The switch connector381 has a housing 382 which supports various contact blocks therein todefine an input port 383, a pair of output ports 384 and a pair ofswitch ports 385. The switch connector 381 is wired to develop three andfour-way switch connections.

In more detail, a further switch connector 387 is illustrated in FIG. 36for use with two or three switch control with power bypass, such as foremergency lighting, and having a selectable input. The switch junction387 essentially has an input port 388, a pair of output ports 389, apair of switch ports 390 and 391 configured for three-way switching andanother switch port 392 which is usable for a four-way switchconfiguration or is capped when the switch junction 389 is used only forthree-way switching. The various ports 388-392 are configured usingcontact blocks arranged in A or B configurations using theabove-described construction principles and thus, significant detail isnot provided herein as to the specifics of such structure.

More generally, the input port 388 is defined by a contact block 394which defines the A connector 394A. This contact block 394 is circuitselectable and has a movable contact shroud 395 for selecting one ofLines 1, 2 or 3. The outlet ports 389 have their own respective contactblocks 396 and 397 which define B connectors 396B and 397B fordownstream connection to lighting fixtures which are controlled by theswitches connected to the various switch ports 390-392. Additionalcontact blocks 398, 399 and 400 are provided to define ports 390-392 andthereby define A connectors 398A, 399A and 400A. Internal wiring withinthe switch junction 387 is connected as follows, wherein the groundcontact in the A connector 394A is interconnected internally with all ofthe ground contacts of the contact blocks 396-400. The line contactselected in block 394 also is interconnected to the emergency contacts Eof contact blocks 396 and 397 as well as the line contact W in block398. For both three and four-way switching, a switch leg 35 isinterconnected to the switch port 390. Additionally, the switch legprovides return power through black and red wires to the contacts B andR which are labeled using standard electrical convention.

These contacts B and R of contact block 398 then connect to the firstblack and red designated contacts B1 and R1 in contact block 391 whichare located adjacent to second black and red contacts B2 and R2 in thissame contact block. In a four-way switch configuration, an additionalfour way switch leg would control these contacts B1, B2, R1 and R2 usingelectrical conventions.

The third switch port 391 has the white contact W connected to the linecontacts L1 and L1 of the two contact blocks 396 and 397 to provide acompleted circuit thereto. The black and red contacts B and R in block400 are interconnected to the B2 and R2 contacts of block 399 and arecontrolled by an additional switch leg which interconnects thesecontacts B and R with the contact W through three and four-way switchconventions. To define a three-way switch, a switch leg would beprovided to the switch ports 390 and 391 with the switch port 392 beingconnected to the above-described four-way jumper cap 364 which would beused in place of a four-way switch leg. This jumper cap wouldinterconnect the B1 and B2 contacts with each other and the R1 and R2contacts with each other for downstream connection to the B and Rcontacts in contact block 400. For a four-way switch configuration, theport 392 would instead be connected to a switch leg which would beswitched in accordance with four-way switch convention. In this manner,the switch junction 387 may be used to define either three or four-wayswitch configurations.

As to FIG. 34, a switch controller 400 has an input A connector 400Areceiving selected power in, an output B connector 400 b which is directconnected to the A connector 400A and supplies switched power out to adownstream light fixture governed by the switched power in, and afixture supplying pigtail 400-1 which is connected to a light fixture 30to also route the switched power in to the light fixture.

Referring to FIG. 37, an additional automated switch controller 402 isprovided and has an automated electronic control 403 which may be awireless controller. This switch controller 402 has a housing 404 inwhich is defined an input port 405 in an A configuration and two outputports 406 in a B configuration. More particularly, the input port 405has a contact block 407 that is configured as an A connector 407Adisposed adjacent a cap 408. The output ports 406 are defined by twosidewardly adjacent contact blocks 409 and 410 which define B connectors409B and 410B. Internally of the housing 404, the electronic control 403is provided which as previously indicated serves as an electronic switchand may be operated wirelessly in a conventional manner. The housingincludes a knock-out 411 through which a low voltage control circuit maybe connected. Additionally, an additional antenna 412 may be providedwhen the control 403 is operated wirelessly.

As to the internal wiring, the ground contact of contact block 405 isconnected to the ground contacts of the electronic control 403 as wellas of the contact blocks 409 and 410. The neutral contact N of contactblock 405 in turn is connected to the neutral contacts N of the blocks409 and 410. As to the line contacts, the contact block 405 has amovable contact shroud 412 so that the input port is circuit selectablebetween Lines 1, 2 or 3 (L1, L2, L3) which contact shroud 412 alsoconnects to the emergency contacts E of blocks 409 and 410 which therebyprovides for power bypass such as for emergency lighting as previouslydescribed above.

Additionally, the contact shroud 412 also supplies power to theelectronic control 411 which selectively switches same betweenconductors 413 and 414 that in turn connect to switch contacts S1 and S2of blocks 409 and 410. This allows for either control of a singlelighting circuit through contacts S1 or for two-level lighting fixtureshaving low and high lighting levels.

With the foregoing switch components and any other needed switchcomponents that might be designed using the above principles, the system10 provides a universal solution to virtually all of the electricalwiring needs in a non-residential building, including lighting,receptacles and other equipment power needs. While primarily developedfor non-residential power distribution, this system also could beadapted to residential and non-commercial applications.

As will be described hereinafter, the various components also aredesigned to accommodate different voltage designs for the circuitsthrough a keying feature provided in the various components. The keyingfeature is disclosed herein in some components as being fixed andnon-adjustable, while in other components being adjustable for settingeither at the factory for a selected voltage level or in the fieldduring wiring of the individual components. The keying feature may besettable only once or may be rekeyable in accord with the followingdiscussion. Also, all components may have a fixed key, preset key, oradjustable key, or the components may have different variations ofdifferent key types. The overall keying system is highly flexible andreadily usable with different voltage levels for which the overallsystem is being designed.

III. Exemplary Circuit Design

With the above-described system components, the various electrical needsof the building can be readily accommodated by assembling the componentsin the desired configuration. Referring to FIG. 38, an exemplaryarrangement is illustrated for the wall panel configuration of FIG. 4.In particular, the leftmost conduit unit 34 connects at its upstreamsingle plug 42 to another system component supplying power thereto andconnects at its downstream double plug 41 to the two adjacent Aconnectors 73A of a PDA 73 to supply power thereto. The downstream Aconnectors 73A of this PDA 73 in turn connect to the single plugs 117 oftwo different single-ended conduit units 34-3 (FIG. 66). It will beunderstood this conduit unit 34-3 could also be replaced with a flexconnector 75. The front conduit unit 34-3 extends linearly and passesdirectly to a downstream wall panel 68 which is shown in FIG. 4 but isomitted from FIG. 38 for clarity. This downstream wall panel 68 has itsown PDA 73 therein wherein the single end connector 117 has the Bconnector 117B thereof connected to one of the PDA A connectors 73A.This supplies power to the two PDA receptacles 49 mounted thereto.

As to the other or second conduit unit 34-3 connected to the upstreamPDA 73, this conduit unit 34-3 makes a right angle bend into a wallpanel oriented perpendicular to the above-described wall panels in whichthe PDA 73 are linearly arranged. This right-angle wall panel 68 as seenin FIG. 4 has its own PDA 73 mounted therein wherein one of the upstreamA connectors 73A connects to the downstream B connector 117B of theconduit unit 34-3. This combination of conduit units 34-3 (or flexconnectors 75), PDA 73, receptacles 49, and any other system componentssupplying power thereto may be readily adapted for mounting in racewayslocated in wall panels 68 as well as raceways located in other furniturecomponents such as floor-to-ceiling walls or desking.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, an additional circuit connection isillustrated using the switch junction 36-1 (FIG. 35). In thisconfiguration, a first conduit unit 34 has one of its two B connectors122B connected to the A connector 369A to supply power to the switchjunction 36-1. This power is then provided through A connector 373A to acorresponding one of the B connectors 122B of a conduit unit 34 thatdefines a switch leg 35 of the electrical circuit. The downstream singleend connector 117 is adapted for connection to an electrical box 48 andan appropriate switch described above that has a B connector adapted toconnect to the end connector 117. In turn, a further conduit unit 34 isplugged into the B connector 378B so as to be downstream connected to alighting fixture 30 (FIG. 1A).

Referring to the first conduit unit 34, this is connected in an offsetposition so that its second end connector 122B is spaced sidewardly ofthe junction housing 368 which therefore allows an additional conduitunit 34 to have its upstream end connector 117A plugged therein tosupply all of the circuits downstream with power and to thereby supplypower to other lighting or receptacle circuits such as in FIG. 1A.

Following FIGS. 41-50 are provided to diagrammatically illustrate otherwiring configurations.

FIG. 41 illustrates the interconnection of a first conduit unit 34 to abranch circuit panel board 415 which power panel includes a neutral bar416, a ground bar 417 and an array of connection slots 418 arranged ingroups of three slots dedicated to Line 1, Line 2 and Line 3 to which acircuit starter will be connected. In this regard, a five-wire,three-circuit starter 206 (FIG. 13) is shown which is interconnectedwith its ground and neutral contacts G and N respectively connected tothe ground bar 417 and neutral bar 416 and the line L1, L2 and L3contacts connected through wires 210 to a selected group of lineconnection slots L1, L2 and L3 in the panel board 415. The B connector206B of the starter 206 thereby is accessible from the panel board forconnection to downstream components. In this regard, a three-circuitflexible conduit run 34 (FIG. 8) is connected with its upstream Aconnector 117A plugged into the B connector 206B. This suppliescontinuous power and electrical contact between the respective contactsG, N, L1, L2 and L3. It will be understood that the other diagrams ofFIGS. 41-50 also diagrammatically illustrate the plugginginterconnection and electrical contact between respective A and Bconnectors even though spaces are shown therebetween for diagrammaticpurposes. Once the conduit unit 34 is plugged into the starter 206, thedownstream B connectors 122B are available for downstream connection ofadditional components. Referring to FIG. 42, this double end connector122 has its B connectors 122B each plugged into respective five-wire,three-circuit flexible conduits 334 which are routed through the variousbuilding cavities whether in ceiling, wall or floor cavities.

To the right in FIG. 42, the B connectors 122B are each connected to acircuit selectable, one-circuit conduit unit 34-2 which may be used toroute power to only one of the three circuits downstream to additionalcomponents that need only be operated on such single circuit. Forexample, in FIG. 43, the one upper conduit unit 34-2 has its respectiveB connectors 131B positioned with one B connector 131B being open forconnection to other components, and the other B connector 131B beingpluggingly engaged with a dedicated single circuit flexible conduit unit34-1 and in particular, the end connector 127A thereof. The downstream Bconnectors 128B then supply power to additional circuit components.

While not illustrated, the downstream double end connector 128 would befixedly engaged to a wall-mounted box 48 as generally illustrated inFIG. 21. A receptacle 49 (FIG. 26) is then plugged therein byinterconnection of the A connector 316A to the B connector 128B. Thereceptacle 49 as discussed above relative to FIG. 26 has a movablecircuit selection contact shroud 334 that allows selection of one ofcircuits L1, L2 and L3. However, since only circuit L1 is supplied withpower from the single circuit flexible conduit 34-1, the circuitselector 334 would need to be in position 1 corresponding to line L1 topower the receptacle 49.

Within the same electrical box, an additional single circuit flexibleconduit 34-1 has its single end connector 127 and the A connector 127Aplugged into the upstream B connector 128B. The cable portion 129thereof passes out of the wall box 48 through the bottom knock-out 289(see also FIG. 96) so that the conduit unit 34-1 can continue to extendthrough the wall cavities 16 described above relative to FIG. 1A.

The downstream end of this connector 34-1 has its double end connector128 again affixed to another wall-mounted box 48 wherein one of its Bconnectors 128B connects to another receptacle 49 and the other Bconnector 128B connects to a further downstream extending conduit unit34-1. In this manner, the power can continue to be distributed seriallythrough a series of interconnected receptacle boxes 48 located at spacedlocations in either in the wall 13 and possibly even feeding a floor box61 such as box 61 or even ceiling-mounted system devices such asceiling-mounted receptacles 49.

Turning next to FIG. 44, an upstream flexible conduit unit 34 may beconnected to two different types of such conduit units such as oneconduit unit 34 which continues all three circuits L1, L2 and L3downstream and a second circuit selectable, single-circuit conduit unit34-2 (FIG. 8). The three-circuit conduit unit 34 in turn has itsdownstream B connectors 122B connected to different types of systemcomponents. First on the left side thereof, the left B connector 122B isconnected to a circuit selectable single circuit, three-wire fixture tap136-1 (FIG. 10) for supplying power to a fixture or equipment. The rightB connector 122B in turn is connected to a five-wire fixture tap 136 forconnection to its own equipment or possibly even hard wiring to otherelectrical components.

As to the single circuit conduit unit 34-2, the downstream double plugend 128 has one of its B connectors 128B connected to a circuitselectable, three-wire conduit unit 34-2 and the other of its Bconnectors 128B connected to a single circuit, three-wire conduit unit34-1. This single circuit carried thereby extends to the B connectors128B which are supported in a wall-mounted electrical box for connectionfirst to a receptacle 49 and secondly to another circuit selectable,three-wire, single circuit equipment tap 136-1.

Referring to FIG. 45, the conduit unit 34 also may be connected to twoseparate circuit selectable single circuit conduit units 34-2 whichallow for selective routing of one of the three circuits L1, L2 or L3downstream therefrom wherein each of the conduit units 34-2 can beselected to a different one of the circuits. For the bottom conduit unit34-2, the double end connector 131 thereof may be connected to a box 48in which another single circuit conduit unit 34-2 is connected andextended downstream to another box which in turn is connected to anotherconduit unit 34-2. The other B connectors 131B of each of these conduitunits 34-2 may then be connected to a device tap such as a circuitselectable single-circuit device tap 33 (FIG. 1A and FIG. 15), whichfixture tap 33 can be connected to a light fixture 30. While the devicetap 33 is circuit-selectable, it would need to have its circuit selectorin the first position since the upstream conduit conductor 34-2 only hasthree wires accessible through the double end connectors 131. The lastdownstream conduit unit 34-2 may continue from location 420 (FIG. 45) topower additional light fixtures.

FIG. 46 illustrates an arrangement where all three circuits are carriedthroughout the electrical circuit through the serial interconnection ofthe five-wire conduit units 34 through the building cavities. At theupstream end of the illustrated circuit, two of these conduit units 34are provided in a Y configuration to define two different circuit runs.The upper circuit runs have a plurality of single-circuit fixture taps136-1 or if desired, 136-2 (FIG. 10). As to the other circuit leg at thebottom of FIG. 46, similar fixture taps 136-1 or even possibly 136-2 areprovided where desired to supply fixtures or equipment. Also, it ispossible to provide a three-wire circuit selectable conduit unit 34-1 tocontinue the circuit to additional equipment locations.

In FIG. 47, two conduit units 34 are interconnected together wherein theupstream conduit unit 34 also connects to the switch junction 36-1 (FIG.35). This switch junction 36-1 has its' A connector 369A connected tothe B connector 122B so that power is supplied to the switch junction36-1. This switch junction 36-1 is circuit selectable so that one of thethree circuits L1, L2 or L3 are accessed and used to supply thedownstream components. On the output side of the switch junction, theoutput port 376 has its B connector 377B pluggingly connected to athree-wire, dedicated conduit unit 34-1 which extends downstream and hasits B connectors 128B interconnected to additional components. In thisregard, one of the B connectors 128B is connected to an additionaldownstream extending conduit unit 34-1 to supply power to additionallighting on this switch circuit. The other B connector 128B isinterconnected to the circuit selectable, single-circuit fixture tap 33which in turn is connected to a light fixture 30.

On the switch port 373 of the switch junction 36-1, the A connector 373Athereof connects to a dedicated three-wire, single-circuit conduit unit34-1 serving as a switch leg 35 which has its upstream B connector 128Bconnected to A connector 373A, and its downstream A connector 127Afixedly attached to a wall-mounted box 48. In the wall-mounted box 48, aswitch is plugged therein. For example, FIG. 47 illustrates athree-wire, single-circuit switch pigtail 350 connected by a B connector351B to the A connector 127A. In turn, the pigtail wires 352 would beconnected to the single switch 347 to define the switch assembly 346(FIGS. 28 and 30). With the single switch 347, all of the light fixtureslocated downstream of the switch junction 361 would be controlledthereby.

Referring to FIG. 48, the same switch junction 36-1 is shown beingplugged into an upstream conduit unit 34, which conduit unit 34 alsoconnects to a bypass conduit unit 34 for continuing all of the powercircuits downstream and separate from the switch junction 36-1. Thearrangement of FIG. 48 is designed for controlling a two-level lightfixture having a first and second lines being output from the switchjunction 36-1 which are switched and supplied to a light fixture toprovide two-level lighting. As to the output from the switch junction36-1, a five-wire conduit unit 34 is connected therethrough whichextends downstream and in turn connects to an additional five-wireconduit unit for continuing the switch lighting leg 35 downstream tosupply additional light fixtures. However, at the end of the firstconduit unit 34, a three-circuit knock-out mounted fixture tap 249 (FIG.15) is interconnected thereto to supply power to the light fixture.

As to the switch leg 35, a conduit unit 34 is used having five wires,although it is possible to use a conduit unit which only has four wirestherein since only four wires are required to connect to the ground, R1,L and R2 contacts located in the switch port 373. At the A connector117A, a two-level switch pigtail 421 having five wires extendingoutwardly therefrom that connect to four contact slots would be used.This switch pigtail 421 has five wires 422 exiting therefrom which wouldbe dedicated for ground G, return R1, return R2, and input line L whichis split into two live wires. This would allow for connection to twosingle pole switches in the wall box for selectively powering one orboth of lines R1 and R2 to provide the two-level lighting provided tothe light fixture 30 through fixture tap 249 located downstream of theswitch junction 36-1.

Referring to FIG. 49, a more conventional lighting configuration isillustrated which provides a connection for emergency lighting. Inparticular, the circuit has an upstream conduit unit 34 which supplies abypass connection with connector 34 and the switch junction 36-1. Theswitch junction 36-1 is connected to a switch leg 35 comprising a singlecircuit, fixed conduit unit 34-1 that in turn is connected to a switchdevice pigtail 350 (FIG. 30) which would be connected to a single poleswitch 347 for controlling the output ports of the switch junction 36-1.The switch junction 36-1 has an additional series of single-circuitconduit units 34-1 extending one after the other to supply power to allof the light fixtures through the use of the circuit selectable fixturetaps 136-1 or 136-2.

As to the emergency lighting, this lighting is supplied by connecting athree-wire fixture tap 136-1 which would have its circuit selector inthe L3 position for connection to the emergency lighting contact E in Bconnector 377B. As such, continuous power is supplied to the conduitunit 136-1 which would be connected to emergency lighting, whichlighting would remain off when electrical power is supplied thereto, butwould automatically switch on and be lit based on battery power whenpower is lost. Also, such lighting need not be “emergency” lighting butcould be other lights which require continuous power separated from theswitched part of the circuit supplying power to the switch-controlledlights. For example, exit sign lights might be powered continuously, andother lights might be powered continuously such as lights run afterdarkness in key areas.

Referring to FIG. 50, a substantially similar configuration to FIG. 49is illustrated except, significantly, the switch junction 36-1 isreplaced with an electronic switch controller 402. This switchcontroller 402 has its input A connector 407A connected to the upstreamconduit unit 34, while output port 409A supplies continuous power to anemergency lighting conduit unit 136-1. Further, the B connector 410Bplugs into the downstream series of five-wire flexible conduit units 34.Since it is only necessary to connect to four of the contacts G, N, S1and S2 of the B connector 410B, the five-wire conduit units 34 actuallycould be converted to a four-wire conduit unit so long as the contactsthereof were connected to the above contacts G, N, S1 and S2. Downstreamthereof, a three-circuit fixture tap 249 is provided for connection toan appropriate light fixture 30. In this manner, the lighting fixture 30can be electronically controlled through the electronic controller 403such as through wireless switching.

The foregoing circuit diagrams are representative diagrams illustratingvarious circuit configurations. It should be appreciated that it ispossible to construct a variety of circuit configurations using thevarious components using conventional wiring conventions.

IV. System Components

The following discussion refers to the individual system components andthe specific construction of select components. Therefore, in additionto the unique inventive arrangement of the entire system and thecooperation of the components, the individual system components furtherinclude additional inventive features incorporated therein.

First referring to FIGS. 51-63, the PDA 73 is illustrated herein.Referring to FIGS. 51 and 52, the PDA 73 is provided in various modularlengths which generally correspond to the length of the raceways of theindividual wall panels 68 in which the PDA's 73 are to be mounted.

The main PDA body 88 extends generally longitudinally and has a pair ofreceptacle contact blocks 95 which project sidewardly from the oppositecasing faces 96 for mounting of the receptacles 49 thereon. In thisregard, the PDA contact blocks 95 have the plug end 98 which isconfigured as a B connector 73B that is engagable with the A connector316A defined by the receptacle contact blocks 316. As described above,these receptacle contact blocks 316 support the locking fingers 326thereon which lockingly engage the catches 99 formed at the top andbottom of the contact blocks 95. Notably, the receptacles 49 areremovable from the contact blocks 95 as generally illustrated in FIG. 52yet are engaged by positioning the receptacle 49 on the casing face 96and then sliding the receptacle 49 longitudinally into pluggingengagement with the A connector 73B. In this manner, the receptacle 49may selectively tap off one of the three circuits being carried throughthe PDA 73. While the PDA 73 is illustrated with only a single block 95on each side thereof, the PDA's 73 have a variety of lengths and thus,longer length PDA's 73 may have a plurality of the blocks 95 on eachside at longitudinally spaced locations.

The opposite ends of the main body 88 includes the end contact blocks 91which have the locking fingers 94 projecting longitudinally so that thecontact blocks 91 define A connectors 73A. Hence, it can be said thatthe PDA 73 has double end connectors 424 and 425 at both ends. Asdescribed previously, the various A connectors 73A may either beconnected to a single B connector of the other components eithersupplying power to the PDA 73 or being supplied with power downstreamfrom the PDA 73. Also, for each pair of A connectors 73A, it is possiblethat only one of such connectors is connected to a B connector.

As further illustrated in FIG. 53, the contact blocks 91 have theirslotted end portions 92 facing longitudinally towards the casing 89 forengagement with internal conductors of the casing 89. Similarly, thecontact blocks 95 also have slotted ends 97 again for connection to theinternal conductors.

In FIG. 54, a single conductor 427 is illustrated which has a centralbar-like longitudinal conductor strap 428 which extends along the lengthof the PDA 73, and defines upper and lower surfaces 429 and 430. Thisconductor strap 428 is confined and enclosed within the casing 89 aswill be discussed hereinafter and is configured to carry currenttherethrough. The conductor 427 is one of a plurality of conductorswhich are vertically stacked in electrically isolated, spaced relationto define individual conductors extending through the casing 89. Theconductor 427 further includes a double contact terminal 431 at eachopposite end which in turn defines two sidewardly separated contacts 432which are joined by an electrically conductive web 433. The web 433 isfixedly mounted to the strap 428, such as by soldering or welding so asto define an electrically conductive connection therebetween.

These contact terminals 431 are received and enclosed within the contactblocks 91 and have the terminals 432 accessible through the A connector73A.

To provide for electrical contact with the receptacles 49 through thereceptacle contact blocks 95, two additional contact terminals 435 areprovided at intermediate locations along the length of the strap 428 inthe illustrated embodiment. It will be understood that additionalcontact terminals 435 may be provided at longitudinally spaced locationsto accommodate additional receptacles. These contact terminals 435 havea single contact 436 and a sidewardly projecting mounting tab 437 whichis mechanically and electrically connected to the top surface 429 of thestrap 428. These contact terminals 435 project into the contact blocks95 with the contacts 436 being electrically accessible through the Bconnector 73B.

In FIG. 55, an enlarged view of the interconnection of the contact block95 to the casing 89 is illustrated. Generally, the casing 89 comprisestwo interfitted casing halves 89-1 and 89-2 which will be described infurther detail hereinafter. Suffice it to say, that each of the casinghalves 89-1 and 89-2 includes a pair of upper windows 438 whichgenerally associate with ground and neutral conductors 427, and threelower windows 439 which are generally associated with three lineconductors corresponding to lines L1, L2 and L3. The confinement of theconductors 427 within the casing 89 will be discussed in further detailherein relative to FIGS. 57-61, but for purposes of FIG. 55, it will beunderstood that the mounting tabs 437 for the receptacle terminals 435project through the respective windows 438 and 439 so that therespective contacts 436 are oriented sidewardly adjacent and extendtowards the contact block 95.

As to the contact block 95, same is formed of an insulative plasticmaterial wherein the slotted end 97 has a plurality of vertically spacedslots 441 and 442. These slots are horizontally flat and extend entirelythrough the contact block 95 as will be discussed further herein. Eachslot 441 and 442, however, also includes an upward extension 443 tocooperate and receive the shaped electric contact 436. With the contacts436 being disposed outwardly of the casing during assembly, the contactblock 95 is then slid leftwardly so that the contacts 436 are slid intothe vertically spaced slots 441 and 442 to the fully seated condition ofFIG. 53 wherein the ends of the contacts 436 are then accessible throughthe B connector 73B thereof.

Referring to FIG. 56, the contact blocks 91 also receive theirrespective contacts 431 in a similar manner. In particular, the terminalends of the conductor strap 428 project outwardly a small distance fromthe insulative casing 89 so that the connector web 433 of eachrespective terminal 431 is disposed directly adjacent the free end ofthe casing 89 and perpendicular to the casing 89. The terminals 431 aredisposed one above the other with the two uppermost terminals 431 beinglocated closest together and corresponding to ground and neutralpositions, while the lower three terminals 431 are disposed closertogether and define the three positions corresponding to the threecircuits L1, L2 and L3. As such, the respective terminals 431 aregenerally disposed in vertically stacked, but spaced relation andproject longitudinally from the end of the casing 89.

One end of the PDA 73 is illustrated in FIG. 56 with the opposite endhaving the same appearance so that the following discussion is equallyapplicable thereto. As to each of the contact blocks 91, these contactblocks 91 are formed identical to each other so as to have a main body445 with the locking fingers 94 projecting forwardly therefrom. Theselocking fingers 94 each include an upstanding rib 446 for latchingengagement with a catch on an associated system component.

As to these contact blocks 91, each has a slotted end 92 and theopposite plug end 93. As to the slotted end 92, a plurality ofcontact-receiving slots 447 are provided with the two upper slots beingdisposed closer together than the three lower slots and generallyconforming to the ground, neutral and L1, L2 and L3 positions. Theseslots 447 extend entirely sidewardly through the contact block 91 to theopposite side faces, and also have center portions which extendlongitudinally through from the slot end 92 to the open plug end 93. Theslots 447 each include an upward extension 448 corresponding to theshape of the respective contact 432. With the slots 447 extendingentirely through the contact block 91, the pair of contacts 432 on eachterminal 431 may be positioned within their own respective contact block91 in side-by-side relation with the connector web 433 being able toextend laterally between the blocks. It may be desirable to provide anouter housing that encloses the slotted portions and the webs 433 butsuch is not required when enclosed in an office furniture raceway.

Referring to FIG. 57, the PDA 73 is illustrated with one of the contactblocks 91 and one of the contact blocks 95 removed so that the exposedcontacts 432 and 436 are seen in their relative positions. The partiallyassembled PDA 73 therefore is completed by sliding an additional contactblock 91 onto the ends of the vertically-stacked terminals 432 and thensliding the electrical contact block 95 onto the othervertically-stacked contacts 436.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 58-61, the casing 89 is illustratedwith the casing half 89-2 being formed with a side wall 450 thatprojects upwardly and has elongate slots 451 formed therein. Each of theslots 451 is adapted to receive the respective strap 428 of a conductor427. When the straps 428 are positioned in their respective slot 451 asseen in FIG. 58, the receptacle contacts 435 project sidewardly throughthe windows 438 and 439 that are formed through the casing side wall 450in a vertical row. This allows the receptacle contacts 436 to projectthrough the windows 438 for connection to the appropriate contact block95.

Additionally, when the conductors 427 are seated in the casing half89-2, the end contact terminals 431 are disposed longitudinallyoutwardly of the casing half 89-2 as seen in FIG. 58. In addition to theforegoing, the casing wall 450 also includes sidewardly projecting snapflanges 453 configured to snap lockingly engage the opposed casing half89-1. Referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the casing half 89-1 also includes aflat casing wall 454 which includes grooves 455 on the upper and loweredges thereof for said snap locking engagement with the snap flanges453. The casing half 89-1 also includes horizontally parallel slots 456which receive the other half of the conductor strap 428 therein. Thecasing half 89-1 also includes the aforementioned windows 438 and 439through which the contact terminals 435 project outwardly as seen inFIG. 57 when the casing half 89-1 is snapped onto the other casing half89-2. This snap engagement confines the conductor straps 428 within theopposed grooves 451 and 456 and allows the terminals 435 to projectthrough their respective windows 438 and 439 on the opposite sides ofthe assembled casing 89.

FIG. 62A is a plan view which illustrates the contact blocks 91 of thePDA 73 being interconnected with a respective contact block 104 of aflex connector 75, while FIGS. 62B-62E further illustrate the contactblocks 91 and 95. These figures illustrate the common configuration ofthe contact blocks 91 and 95, the respective contacts 432 and 436, andalso the mating engagement thereof.

The contact blocks 91 include the slotted end 92 and an end plug section93. The slotted end sections 92 as illustrated in FIGS. 56 and 62B-62Creceive the contacts 431 therein wherein the contact web 433 spans theintermediate space between the two spaced blocks 91. Since the PDA 73 isused in a wall panel arrangement and enclosed within a raceway, currentoffice furniture codes do not require any additional covering over thecontact blocks 91. Rather, these plastic blocks 91 preferably arefixedly attached to the casing 89, such as by ultrasonic welding orother similar attachment techniques.

As to the plug end 432 illustrated in FIGS. 62B and 62C, the end plugsection 93 has the block material projecting forwardly therefrom todefine laterally spaced, parallel projections 458 that define verticalslots 459 therebetween. As seen in FIG. 62A, the electrical contact 432has portions thereof projecting into two of the slots 459 for matingengagement with the contacts of the contact block 104 as will becomeapparent from the discussion provided below. As seen in FIG. 62B, theprojections 458 along the vertical height thereof are slotted by thecontact slots 447 which extend through the material of the projections458 and allow the contacts 432 as received in such slots 447 to projectinto the slots 459. As seen in the top of FIG. 62A, the projections 458and slots 459 are offset relative to the longitudinal centerline of theblock 91 such that projection 458 defines one block face 460 while theslot 459 opens through the opposite block face 461. This configurationof the projections 458 and slots 459 defines a hermaphroditicconstruction that is engagable with a similarly constructed contactblock 104 regardless of whether the contact blocks 91 are on one end ofthe PDA 73 or on the opposite end of the PDA 73.

As further illustrated in FIG. 62A, the contact block 104 of the flexconnector 75 has essentially the same construction except that it alsoincludes the catch 106 on the top block surface 463 and a similar catchon the bottom block surface. This block 104 also includes the sameconfiguration of projections 464 and slots 465. The flex connector 75 asillustrated in FIG. 6 has single contacts disposed therein which areessentially the same as the contacts 432 and are more similar to thecontacts illustrated in FIG. 77 and are joinable to the contacts 431 insubstantially the same manner as that illustrated in FIG. 79 relative tothe conduit units 34. Hence, a detailed disclosure of the contacts ofthe flex connector 75 is not required since such flex connector 75 isdesigned in conformance with the constructions used in the other systemcomponents. Suffice it to say that the contacts disposed in the contactblock 104 project into the slots 465 in the same manner as the contacts431 projecting into the slots 459 so that when the two blocks 91 and 104are plugged together, the respective projections 458 and 464 slidablyfit into the slots 465 and 459 respectively, with the respectivecontacts of these blocks 104 and 91 being mechanically in contact witheach other and completing an electrical circuit therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 62D and 62E, it can be seen that this contact block95 includes a similar combination of projections 467 and slots 468 whichdefine the B connector 73B and have the respective contacts 436projecting through the projection 467 and at least partially into theslots 468 for subsequent connection to a similar configuration formed inthe electrical receptacles 49.

It will be noted that the slots in both the contacts 91 and 95 are thinand snugly fit the respective contacts therein to vertically restrainthe thin contacts.

Referring further to FIGS. 62B and 62C, as well as FIG. 53, the PDA 73as well as the flex connector 75 are restricted in usage to a 120 voltcapacity since such is restricted in conventional office furnitureconfigurations. To prevent supply of power to the PDA 73 or flexconnector 75 at a higher, unacceptable voltage, the PDA 73 and flexconnector 75 also include a keying feature as part of the contact blocks91, 95 and 104 thereof.

As to the keying feature of the PDA 73, this is accomplished byproviding the plastic molded contact block 91 with a forwardlyprojecting keying pin 470 which projects outwardly directly adjacent toa keying recess 471. The keying pin 470 has a generally cylindricalouter surface having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape as viewedfrom the end. This semi-circular shape corresponds to the semi-circularshape of the recess 471. In the A connector configuration of the PDA 73,the keying pin 470 is said to be downwardly notched with the recess 471disposed below the pin 470 as seen in FIG. 62C.

In the keying pin 473 as provided in the receptacle contact block 95(FIGS. 53 and 62E), the pin 473 is said to be upwardly notched so as tobe located below a keying recess 474. These pins 470 and 473 andrecesses 471 and 474 are molded fixedly into the blocks 91 and 95 andthus are non-adjustable. The respective keying pins 470 and 471 includerespective flat keying faces 472 and 475 that respectively facedownwardly and upwardly and are oriented in a horizontal position. Thishorizontal orientation of the keying faces 472 and 475 corresponds to a120 volt circuit. The subsequent description also refers to additionalkeying pins, such as pins 593 (FIGS. 85 and 86) which are adjustable andhave respective faces that also are orientable in a horizontalorientation corresponding to a 120 volt circuit, but also may bepositioned in two different angled orientations corresponding todifferent voltage configurations such as 277 volts or 347 volts.

As to the keying pin 473 of the receptacle block 95, the upwardlynotched configuration of this pin 473 corresponds to its use in the Bconnector 73B or in any other B configuration having a fixed pin moldedtherein. Thus, when an A connector and a B connector are joinedtogether, the respective keying pins are disposed in oppositeorientations and allowed to mate with each other which would then resultin the pin of one contact block being inserted and received into therecess of the other block which allows for complete axial seating orplugging engagement of one contact block into another. This insures thatthe two components that are keyed for 120 volt service can only beconnected to each other and could not be connected to another componentthat has the keying feature thereof, and specifically the pin thereof,oriented for different voltage service.

Hence, as to the receptacle 49 (FIG. 99), it can be seen that thisreceptacle 49 has its own fixed, non-adjustable keying pin 632configured so as to be downwardly notched and only being engagable withan oppositely oriented key such keying pin 473 in the receptacle contactblock 95. This ensures that the receptacle 49 is only plugged intoanother system component that is rated for 120 volt service. If areceptacle 49 is not designed for accommodating a higher voltage servicesuch as a receptacle used for a 240/277 volt appliance or manufacturingequipment, a higher voltage receptacle might be provided with arespective keying pin that restricts use of the receptacle to the highervoltage service and also would not be matable with a low voltage servicelike the 120 volt position of the keying pins 470 and 473. Thus, all ofthe system components have A and B connectors which are matable witheach other due to their respective formations of projections and slots,but their usage is restricted based upon the orientation of itsrespective keying feature.

Referring to FIGS. 63A and 63B, the PDA 73 also may be mounted in apanel raceway 70 in a vertically stacked position as generally depictedtherein and also illustrated in FIG. 3. As such, the receptacles 49 aredisposed one above the other and accessible through a raceway cover 71.

With the above-described components, the PDA 73 and flex connector 75may be positioned in a raceway and routed through an office area ingeneral accord with FIGS. 3, 4 and 38.

Additionally, these components may be supplied with power at theirupstream end, for example, by the wall feed connector unit 81. This wallfeed connector unit has a double plug 85 at the downstream end thereofwhich is readily engagable with the contact blocks 91 and as such, isconfigured with a contact block that has the same configuration of theplug end so as to matingly engage with the contact blocks 91.

Referring to FIGS. 64 and 65, the conduit unit 34 is constructed withsimilar structural components that define the single end connector 117having a contact block 118 therein. This contact block 118 is enclosedby the outer housing 119 and has a pair of resilient locking fingers 120projecting longitudinally therefrom. An intermediate conduit 121 isprovided which has five wires, defining three circuits, but also couldhave three wires defining one circuit to define the conduit unit 34-1.This conduit 121 extends downstream and defines the double end connector122 having a housing 123 which encloses a pair of contact blocks 126.

Referring to FIG. 66, a further conduit unit 34-3 may be constructedusing the same conduit 121 with single end connectors 117 on theopposite ends thereof that enclose contact blocks 118 and have singleouter housings 119. The construction of the single connectors 117 areformed the same as each other and the various conduit units 34, 34-1 and34-2, while the opposite double end connector 122 has a very similarconstruction with a double housing 123.

Referring to FIGS. 67A-67E, one of the single end conductors 117 mayinstead be replaced with a circuit selectable end connector 132 on athree-wire conductor 129 to form the conduit unit 34-2 (FIG. 8). Thiscircuit selectable end connector 132 has the same single housing 119which encloses a contact block assembly 134 disposed therein to definethe A connector 132A described above. In particular, this contact block134 is formed similar to the above-described contact blocks in that itis molded from plastic so as to define projections 477 and slots 478through which contact-receiving slots 479 are provided in two locationson the upper portion of the contact block 134. These slots 479 receivesingle contacts 480 which are accessible therefrom in substantially thesame manner as the above-described contacts 432 or 436 from theirrespective contact blocks. These contacts 480 are in the stationarypositions associated with the neutral and ground conductors beingcarried through the conduit unit 34-2.

Below such stationary contacts 480, there is an additional keyingfeature 482 formed as an outwardly projecting pin 483 that will bedescribed in further detail hereinafter. The pin 483 is rotatablyreceived in bore 482A. Notably, however, the pin 483 is in a downwardlynotched 120 volt position, although this pin 483 is rotatable to defineangled orientations corresponding to two-additional voltage positions,such as 277 and 347 volt positions.

This contact block 134 also has a circuit selection feature builttherein wherein the lower portion of the block 134 has an interiorcavity 484 with a rectangular opening 485 that defines three positionscorresponding to the three circuits that might be defined by a bottomthree contacts of an opposed contact block that has five wires connectedthereto. This chamber 484 and window 485 receives a slidable contactshroud 487 (FIGS. 8, 67A and 67C) which is vertically movable within thewindow 485. This contact shroud 487 has a contact-receiving slot 488 inwhich a single contact 480 is slidably received and fixed in position.The conduit 129 has three wires 129A connected to the three contacts480, wherein the contact 480 in the shroud 487 connects to one of theflexible conductor wires 129A being carried through the conduit 129which flexible wire permits relative movement of the contact 480 withthe shroud 487. In particular, the contact 480 and the shroud 487 areconnected to the free end of the flexible conductor 129A carried in theconduit 129 so that vertical movement of the shroud 487 is permitted byflexing of the electrical conductor.

By positioning the movable contact shroud 487 vertically between first,second and third positions, the contact 480 therein may be connected toany of the upstream contacts that is disposed in an upstream contactblock which three contacts correspond to the L1, L2 and L3 positions.Depending upon the vertical position of the contact shroud 487, thecontact 480 therein would be connected to either of the L1, L2 or L3circuits. FIGS. 99-101 illustrate the circuit selection feature of thereceptacles 49 and the three L1, L2 and L3 positions, which circuitselection feature is essentially the same as that provided in contactblock 134.

The configuration of the contact block and the slidable contact shroud487 is also used in other system components such as the aforementionedreceptacle 49, and it will be understood that discussion of suchfeatures herein is applicable to these other components without the needfor providing specific illustrations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 68, the upstream conduit unit 34 therefore defines twoB connectors 122B to which an A connector 117A of the downstreamconnector 34 may be connected.

As to the single and double housings 119 and 124, these comprise namelya single cover 490 and a double cover 491. The single cover 490 of thesingle end connector 117 is mated with another cover 490 in opposedrelation as seen in FIG. 68. The double housing 123, however, is formedof one single cover 490 mated in opposing relation with the double cover491. These covers 490 and 491 preferably are formed of shaped metal toform a metal enclosure for the contact block, and clampingly engage asuitable conduit 121 at the opposite ends thereof so as to satisfyconventional building codes associated with ceiling and wall cavities.

As to the specific cover constructions, the single cover 490 has a mainbody 492 that forms a rectangular chamber that opens forwardly at oneend and at the opposite end includes an arcuate conduit clamp 493. Thisconduit clamp 493 continues into a peripheral flange 494 that is formedwith fastener holes 495 to secure the two covers 490 together in saidopposing relation and has bracket slots 624 for securing to a wall box48 as will be described herein. The facing wall 496 of the main body 492includes two rectangular apertures 497 that are configured to lockinglyengage with projections on the contact blocks 118 or 126 depending uponwhere the single cover 490 is used.

As to the double cover 491, this double cover is formed substantiallythe same except that the main body 498 thereof is substantially tallerthan the single main body 492. The main body 498 has apertures 497 inthe facing wall 499. The main body 498 also has a conduit clamp 500 atone end thereof which continues into peripheral flanges 501 havingfastener holes 502 for screwing the covers 490 and 491 together.

As to the single cover, the single cover also has slot portions 503 nearthe mouth of the main body 492 which allow for passage of the lockingfingers 120 therethrough in the single end connector 117. In the doubleend connector 122, the slot portion 503 serves as one of the catches 125while the double cover 491 also includes its own respective slot 504which defines a second catch 125. These slots 503 and 504 in the doublehousing 123 serve as catches for engagement with the latching fingers120 to lockingly engage the two conduit units 34 together.

As to the double cover 491, the depth of such double cover 491 isadapted to completely receive one of the contact blocks 126 therein aswell as approximately half of the second contact block 126 which isdisposed in side-by-side relation. These contact blocks are disclosed inmore specific detail hereinafter, but it is noted that these receivetheir own respective contacts therein and have internal conductor wires505 projecting rearwardly therefrom. When wired in a conventionalmanner, these conductors 505 have the upper two conductors 505associated with the ground and neutral positions, with the three lowerconductors 505 associated with the three lower line positions L1, L2 andL3.

These conductors 505 are shown broken off in FIG. 69, but it isunderstood that same extend rearwardly from the contact blocks 126 andthen enter into the flexible conduit 121 so as to pass therethrough andconnect to the contact block 118 at the opposite end of the conduit unit34. Notably, the contact blocks 126 as well as the single contact block119 all include outwardly projecting locator blocks 506 which projectthrough the corresponding cover apertures 497 to fixedly secure thecontact blocks 126 or 118 in position within their respective covers 490and 491.

It is noted that the main body 498 defines a cavity through which theconductors 505 pass. The appropriate cable manager is disclosed in thiscompartment which in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 70 is designatedas wire manager 508. This is single wire manager 508 is also provided inthe double housing 123 since the conduit wires are only connected to oneof the two contact blocks 126 with the other contact block 126 beingelectrically connected thereto by the contact webs extending between theblocks 126.

Referring to FIGS. 71-74, the wire manager 508 comprises twosnapped-together covers 511 and 512 which fit within the compartment509. The first cover 511 includes a main body 513 which is a side wall514 which turns into a peripheral side wall 515. The forward end of themain body 513 includes a slot 516 which slides onto a correspondingportion of the contact block 118 for secure engagement therewith and isopen to allow entry of the conductors 505 therein as seen in FIG. 72.

Rearwardly of the front opening 517, an upstanding alignment wall 518 isprovided with recesses 519 into which the conductors 505 may be pushedto control the relative position thereof within the wire manager 508.The rear of the side wall 515 also includes an elongate notch 520through which the conductors 505 may exit and pass into the mouth of theconduit 121 that would be clamped in the conductor clamp 493 (FIG. 71).The side wall 515 also includes snap locking flanges 521 which areresiliently deflectable since the covers 511 and 512 are formed of amolded plastic.

As to the cover 512 (FIG. 74), this cover 512 also includes a slot 522formed at the mouth of the main body 523. The side wall 524 extendsthereabout and also defines a conduit-receiving notch 525 through whichthe conductors 505 pass into the conduit 521. A double alignment wall isprovided having a slot 527 in which is received the single alignmentwall 518 described above. The alignment wall 526 includes its ownrespective recesses 528 which align with recesses 519 and allow for thepassage of the conductors 505 through the cooperating walls 518 and 526while the recesses 519 and 528 thereof maintain the conductors 505 in afixed position.

The side wall 524 also includes grooves 529 on the side wall whichextend downwardly to windows 530, which windows 530 and grooves 529snap-lockingly engage with the locking flanges 521 when the two covers511 and 512 are pressed together. As such, the cover 511 would be firstpositioned within, for example, the single cover 490 and then thecontact block 118 would be positioned therein with the conductors 505being routed through the alignment walls as they extend rearwardly tothe conduit 521. The other cover 512 would then be snapped over theconductors 505. In that the slots 522 and 516 of the two covers 511 and512 capture a rear connector portion 532 of the contact body 118, thewire manager 508 would be positively secured to the back of the contactblock 118. This connector portion 532 is further illustrated in FIG. 75Aas projecting rearwardly from a face 533 of the contact block 126. Theconnector portion 532 is generally rectangular and has two side slots534 that define two outwardly projecting ribs 535 which are fixedlyreceived in the corresponding cover slots 516 and 522.

Also as to FIG. 72, the latching fingers 121 in this embodimentpreferably are formed of a resilient spring steel having a mountingsection 537 which seats within a corresponding rectangular cavity 538 onthe contact block 118. The finger 120 then turns outwardly and passesthrough a corresponding slot portion 503 and then turns into acantilevered locking arm 539 wherein the terminal, free end thereof isbent downwardly to define a hook 540 that engages a corresponding slotor catch on a serially-adjacent end connector. By engaging the hook 540with a corresponding catch, two end connectors of two system componentsmay be releasably joined together.

While the wire manager 508 is shown as two separable components, it ispossible to also form the wire manager 508 unitarily with the contactblocks which also are molded from an insulative material.

Referring to FIG. 75A-75F, the contact blocks 118 and 126 areillustrated as having very similar constructions.

In particular, FIG. 75B illustrates the contact blocks 126 as having aslotted end face 542 formed with a plurality of vertically spacedcontact-receiving slots 543 having conductor bores 544 in communicationtherewith through which the conductors 505 may exit from the slots 543.These slots pass through the lateral width of the blocks 126 so as toopen through the interior side block faces 545. Further, the slots 543are generally flat but have an upward extension 546.

In the middle of the block, a keying unit 547 is provided to key theblocks 126 for a specific voltage being carried therethrough. It isnoted that the conduit units 34 are configured for carrying any of thevoltages 120, 277 and 347, unlike the wall panel-based components whichare pre-dedicated to 120 volt service.

The front plug face 549 has the same shape as the above-describedcontact blocks of the PDA 73 so as to permit mating engagement withother similar blocks. In particular, the front plug face 549 is formedwith projections 550 and slots 551 which are offset but define ahermaphroditic plug configuration for plugging into the sameconfiguration provided in the contact block 118 as seen in FIG. 75A. Asseen in FIG. 75F, the keying unit 547 also is accessible through thefront of the contact block 126 as will be described in further detailhereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 75C-75E, the contact block 118 also has a similarconfiguration with a plurality of contact-receiving slots 551 havingrearwardly opening conductor bores 552 and a keying unit 553. On thefront block face 554, a similar pattern of projections 555 and verticalslots 556 are illustrated in alternating relation to define thehermaphroditic plug profile that corresponds to the other contactblocks.

The block 118 as illustrated in FIGS. 75C-75F also is modified in thatthe contact slots 551 have the vertical extensions omitted therefromwhich would be necessary to accommodate the contact strengthening rib566 described below, wherein the block 118 as illustrated specificallyaccommodates the flat contact 580 described below.

As will be described hereinafter, it is noted that the contact receivingslots 551 and 543 all continue through the entire front to backthickness of the contact blocks 118 and 126. Referring to FIG. 76, theseslots thereby are able to receive a plurality of contact terminals 556in vertically spaced relation. In FIG. 76, the contact block 118 isremoved therefrom for illustrative purposes. The rear ends of theterminals 556 are connected to the stripped conductive end 557 of aconductor 505 wherein the insulation 558 thereof projects out of therespective conductor bores 552.

Referring to FIGS. 77 and 79, the terminals 556 define contacts 560 atthe front thereof and have a back plate 561 to which the conductor 557is soldered or welded for completing an electrical connection. Thecontact 560 is formed from a stamped or formed piece of conductive metalsuch as brass and is defined by a fixed contact flange 562 having agenerally rectangular shape, and a resilient contact finger 563 which isspaced sidewardly from the contact plate 562 and separated therefrom bya gap 564. This gap 564 continues rearwardly and opens into a narrowseparation slot 565. A rearward portion of the contact finger 563 isbent upwardly to define a strengthening rib 566 for rigidity and to alsopermit lateral flexing of the contact finger generally in the directionof arrow 567.

These individual single contacts 560 are slid into the contact block 118through the respective slots 551. The perpendicular slot extension 546is provided to accommodate the upstanding support rib 566 during slidingtherein. In this manner, the contact 560 is non-removably seated in thecorresponding slot 551 so that the contact blade 562 and the contactfinger 563 are accessible through the front ends of the slots 551 whichopen through the slots 556 and projections 555 on the front of the block118. In this manner, the contacts 560 in the upper two slots in athree-circuit configuration would be associated with ground and neutral,and the three bottom contacts 560 would be associated with the threelines L1, L2 and L3. It is understood that this could be varieddepending upon the initial wiring of this system so that possibly one ofthe contacts 560 serves as a ground and the four remaining contacts 560are associated with two neutrals and two contacts so that a five-wire,two-circuit configuration is designed.

As to the pair of contact blocks 126, these contact blocks 126 as seenin FIG. 75A, FIGS. 78 and 79 have a double contact terminal 569 (FIGS.78 and 79) which comprises two contacts 570 joined together byintermediate web 571. The two contacts 570 are essentially identical tothe contacts 560 except for the addition of the web 571 which joins thetwo contacts 570 together in laterally spaced relation. Each of thesecontacts 570 therefore comprises a contact blade 572 and a contactfinger 573 which are disposed in laterally spaced relation to therebydefine a gap therebetween. The resilient fingers 573 are therebydisplaceable outwardly generally in the direction of reference arrows574 (FIG. 79) such that when the opposed contacts 560 and 569 movetowards each other into plugging engagement, the contact blades 562 and572 abut sidewardly against each other and are compressed sidewardly bythe contact fingers 563 and 573 which respectively move in the directionof reference arrows 567 and 574 yet resiliently press back towards theopposing contact blade 562 or 572. It is noted, as seen in FIG. 78, thatthe blades 562, 572 and contact fingers 563, 573 lie in the same planeso as to have a height defined only by the thickness of the contactmaterial. This allows for close vertical spacing of the contactterminals described in this application which allows for condensing ofthe size of the contact blocks and reducing the dimensional requirementsthereof. Further, the thinness of the contact-receiving slots restrainsthe contacts vertically and prevents buckling or spread apart so thatthe contacts can have a thickness which essentially is the thickness ofone material layer. Still further, only one layer or wall of blockmaterial is provided between each pair of slots which further reducesthe block height. The only significant height added to the contacts 560and 569 are the upstanding support ribs 566 and 576 providing support tothe contact fingers 563, 573, and even then this is accommodated in thematerial wall between the contact slots.

The above contact geometry allows for a system of power distributioncomponents which have a minimum vertical dimension that readily fitswithin most all conventionally sized building cavities. Additionally,this spacing allows for the use of conventionally sized electrical wallmount boxes 48, 291 and 299 (FIG. 19). It will be understood that thisdiscussion of the contacts is also applicable to the other contactsdiscussed herein, wherein the same contact geometry is used throughoutthe system components.

More particularly, conventional shrouded terminal designs have minimumspacing requirements required by UL specification requirements. Forvoltages above 300 volts, the insulation barrier thickness betweenconductors must be at least 1/16^(th) inch and space through air betweenbare conductors must be at least ⅛^(th) inch. For conventionalmale/female terminals which are shrouded, this requires a minimumspacing between conductors of 3/16^(th) inch between the shrouds toprovide space for a third 1/16^(th) barrier shroud of the connectorbeing joined thereto.

The use of vertical projections and slots in combination with thelow-profile contact or tine arrangement disclosed herein greatly reducesthe overall stack height of a stack of contacts, particularly as here,where the contacts are vertically aligned and are not offset orstaggered as may be found in prior contact arrangements. The projectionsand slots are oriented as barrier walls perpendicular to the wide planeof the contacts which allows the terminals to be spaced at ⅛^(th) inchand thereby eliminates the conventional third barrier wall that would berequired between terminals in shrouded arrangements. Further, since thecontacts of the invention contact each other sidewardly in the sameplane and the same vertical space defined by the contact metalthickness, vertically adjacent contact-receiving slots can be spacedcloser together since only one common wall is needed to separate thevertically adjacent contacts and satisfy the insulation barrierthickness requirement.

While the contact configuration provides significant advantages, it alsowill be understood that more conventional contacts, such as male/femalecontacts whether staggered or not, might be used in association with thevarious system components. While such prior contact construction do notprovide the same size advantages, the concepts of the system, such asthe A connectors and B connectors and the keying arrangements couldstill provided advantages and of themselves are inventive features thatare not dependent upon the use of the inventive flat contacts.

FIGS. 80, 81A and 81B illustrate an alternate contact design comprisinga terminal 578 that has a fully planar configuration defined height-wisesolely by the thickness of the terminal material. In particular, theterminal 578 has the back plate 579 provided for connection to theconductor wire 557 with the forward end of the terminal 578 defining thecontact 580. The contact 580 comprises a fixed stationary arm or plate581 having a contact projection 582 thereon. An additional resilient arm584 is provided which comprises an outer leg 585 separated from adeflectable leg 586 by a center slot 587. The flexible leg 586 has adeflection projection 588 projecting inwardly therefrom towards a gap589 defined between the two arms 581 and 584. To facilitate resilientflexing of the leg 586, a separation slot 590 extends from the gap 589along an additional length of the leg 586. This allows for inwarddeflection of the flexible leg 586 in the direction of reference arrow591 (FIG. 80).

FIG. 81A illustrates the contact arms 581 and 584 of two opposingcontacts 580 being brought into sliding engagement with each other whileFIG. 81B illustrates the two contacts 580 in a fully seated position dueto the resilient inward flexing of the leg 586 of both of the contacts580 which is particularly facilitated by the projections 582 and 588,both of the arms 584 are squeezed between the opposite arms 584 and 581of the other contact 580. This provides for a positive engagement tomaintain secure mechanical and electrical contact between the contacts580. As seen in FIGS. 81A and 81B, both of the contacts 580 lie in thesame common plane and have an even further reduced vertical height.

FIGS. 82A and 82B illustrate substantially the same contact design withadditional securing formations therein to positively hold the contactsin their respective contact blocks. In particular, FIG. 82A illustratesthe contact 580-1 in single configuration while FIG. 82B illustrates thecontacts 580-2 in a double configuration joined by a conductive webtherebetween. The contacts 580-1 and 580-2 include securing barbs 592which positively secure the contacts 580-1 and 580-2 in their respectivecontact blocks. The barbs 592 are cantilevered and define sharpprojections on the bottom of the contacts for engagement with thecontact blocks illustrated in FIGS. 82C-82E.

The modified contact blocks 650 of FIGS. 82C-82E are substantially thesame as contact blocks 118 described above and the other similar blocksas is apparent from the figures such that a detailed discussion offeatures is not necessary. Rather, the following addresses the primarydifferences of this alternate contact block 650 wherein it will beappreciated that all of the contact blocks of the various systemcomponents could also have this same design.

In more detail, the contact block 650 first differs in that thecontact-receiving slots 651 grouped with only one slot 651 above thekeying feature 652 and four slots 651 below such keying feature 652. Theslots receive the contacts 580-1 therein. This arrangement is like the 2above/3 below grouping described herein and is readily usable in any ofthe circuit combinations such as a five-wire, three circuitconfiguration, or a three-wire, single circuit configuration. This ¼grouping could be connected such that the top contact 580-1 is theground contact, the second contact 580-1 is neutral, and the bottomthree contacts 580-1 are in the L1, L2 and L3 positions. In anotherexample, the bottom four contacts 580-1 could define two circuits withtwo neutrals and two hot.

As seen in FIG. 82E, the slots 651 also include notches 653 on thebottom thereof that define a sharp stop surface that engages the contactbarbs 592. Hence, upon insertion of the contacts 580-1, the barbs 592prevent withdrawal of the contacts 580-1. As seen in FIG. 82D, the topslot 651 has the notch 653 on the top of the slot 651 with the contact580-1 being inverted.

As described above, many of the components including the contactsillustrated in FIGS. 77-82 are readily capable of accommodating variousvoltages including 120 volts, 277 and 347 volts. However, once a voltagelevel is selected for a particular circuit in a building, it isnecessary to dedicate the components to such voltage level to avoiddangerous interconnection of components operating at different voltagelevels. Hence, the aforementioned keying features are provided in thesystem components. While the PDA 73 and flex connector 75 have a fixed120 volt selection built into the components, the other components suchas the conduit units may be and preferably are designed so that thevoltage level is field selectable by an installer.

Referring to FIGS. 83-86, the system connectors that have the variablekeying feature use a rotatable keying pin 593 that forms part of thekeying unit 547. The pin 593 has recessed end portion 594 that issemi-circular and has a recessed notch 595 adjacent the head of the pin.This defines a flat face 596 extending across the diameter of the endkey 594. This keying pin 593 is rotatably received within a bore 597(FIGS. 83 and 84) and is rotatable therein as well as actually slidable.

As seen in FIG. 75E, the bore 597 has three circumferentially-spacedouter grooves 598 which are disposed at equal angular distances fromeach other. The keying pin 593 as seen in FIGS. 85 and 86 includescorresponding locator ribs 599, 600 and 601 which are adapted to beslidably received within the slots 598 so as to permit axial sliding ofthe keying pin 593. Hence, the keying pin 593 may be rotated when thekeying ribs 599, 600 and 601 are disposed axially outwardly of the slots598 as generally indicated in FIGS. 83 and 87A, which would be thecondition of the keying pin 593 after manufacture and beforeinstallation.

In this manner, the pin 593 may be rotated to any one of three angularpositions such as the angular position of FIG. 84 or the horizontallyflat condition of FIG. 75E where the third position is defined by theremaining guide slot 598. These three angular positions each correspondto a voltage convention wherein the horizontally flat conditioncorresponds to 120 volt service, and the two other angular positionscorrespond to 277 volt and 347 volt service. The voltage convention maybe varied as desired depending on how the system is configured but needsto be consistently utilized throughout a building structure to avoidinterconnection of unmatched voltage levels. In that two connectors oftwo different system components would be keyed and hence, two keyingpins 593 would be disposed in opposing relation as indicated in FIGS. 58and 89, the system components can only be plugged together when thekeying pins 593 are in corresponding, oppositely oriented voltagepositions such as that illustrated in FIGS. 85 and 86. As such, as theconnectors are plugged together, the pins 593 would move axiallytogether with the end keys 594 and the opposed faces 596 mating one intothe other in a fully seated condition as indicated in FIG. 86. Thus, allof the system components can be selectively joined together with acommon voltage level.

It is desirable, however, to also make the keying feature usable only asingle time to avoid re-keying of a system component by anunknowledgeable or unskilled individual and thereby prevent suchindividual from mistakenly interconnecting mismatched voltages whichcould result in a dangerous condition. Hence, the keying pins 593 andtheir cooperation with the respective contact block such as block 118 ofFIGS. 87A and 87B are designed so that the pin 593 is rotatable whenshipped from the factory but is not adjustable once the pin 593 ispushed axially into the fully seated position such as that seen in FIGS.84 and 87B.

More particularly, the keying unit 547 further comprises two pairs oflocking arms 603 and 604 which are disposed internally within arectangular block chamber 605 and project rearwardly from a front bodysection 606. These locking arms 603 and 604 in each pair are disposeddiametrically opposite to each other wherein the locking arms 603 arevertically disposed one above the other and the locking arms 604 areoriented 90° away therefrom in sidewardly opposite relation.

The arm 603 and 604 are formed of the molded block material and as such,are resiliently deflectable in cantilevered relation with the frontblock section 606. These arms 603 and 604 terminate at respective stopfaces 608 and 609.

As to the locking pin 593 of FIGS. 85 and 86, this locking pin 593includes a cylindrical rear body 611 which extends rearwardly andnarrows to a reduced diameter clearance section 612 that then terminatesat a radially outwardly projecting head 613. This head 613 defines astop rim 614 with a forward-facing circumferential surface adapted toabut against either pair of stop faces 608 or stop faces 609.

As seen in FIG. 87A, the stop 593 during manufacture is initiallyinserted into the bore 597 wherein the head 613 presses the locking arms603 radially outwardly until the head 613 passes axially therebeyond thestop faces 608, after which the stop rim 614 abuts axially against theopposed stop faces 608. Hence, while the stop pin 593 is rotatable asdescribed above, the pin 593 also cannot be axially pulled out of thecontact block 118 so that the pin 593 is adjustable by rotation butstill permanently affixed to the block 118.

Once the pin 593 is rotated to one of the predefined angular positionscorresponding to the different voltage levels, the pin 593 would bepushed inwardly by an installer until the head 613 presses the longerlocking arms 604 radially outwardly and then moves past the respectivestop faces 609 so that the stop rim 614 now abuts axially against theserear stop faces 609. This hence prevents forward axial displacement ofthe pin 593 and prevents any further rotatable adjustment of the pin 593since the pin 593 is now locked in the fully seated position illustratedin FIG. 87B. In this fully seated position, the notch 595 (FIG. 87B) isnow disposed partially within the bore 597 to define a forward opening,semi-circular recess 616 into which the end key 594 of a correspondingpin could be received.

In this regard, FIG. 88 illustrates a double end connector 122 havingthe contact blocks 126 thereof provided with the identical arrangementof rotatably adjustable keying pins 593. These pins 593 are disposed inan upwardly notched position corresponding to the 120 volt level whereinthe left pin 593 in FIG. 88 is still in the rotatable position while therightward pin 593 has been pushed into the bore 597 to the fully lockedcondition. Hence, the end connector 122 is now dedicated for 120 voltservice, and as seen in FIG. 89, can be connected to a contact block 119having its respective pin 593 also locked into the 120 volt position.Notably, the angular positions of the guide slots 598 are offset 180°relative to the guide slots 598 of the contact block 118 (FIG. 83) sothat the 120 volt position of the contact block 118 has the pin in thedownwardly notched orientation and the contact block 126 has the pin 593disposed in the upwardly notched opposite orientation to allow formating engagement therebetween as seen in FIG. 89. One of theorientations would be used consistently with B connectors and theinverted orientation is used consistently with A connectors.

With this keying feature, the system components that serve multiplevoltage levels can be provided with an adjustable keying feature. Theother components that are dedicated to a single voltage level may have acomparable key fixed in a non-adjustable position that restricts serviceto a specific voltage level.

While having a non-resettable key is preferred, FIG. 87C illustrates aresettable keying arrangement which is substantially the same as thatdescribed above. The primary difference is that the keying pin 593 sitsin a modified contact block wherein the same locking arms 603 areprovided that engage the head 613 to prevent removal of pin 593 butpermit rotation thereof. However, the longer locking arms 604-1 alsohave a chamfered camming face 617 adjacent the camming face 618. Theface 618 contacts the chamfered edge of the head 613 to effect spreadingof the arms 604-1 upon locking insertion of the pin 593. The cammingface 617 also contacts the rim 614 of the head 613 to also deflect thearms 604-1 outwardly for passage of the head 613 there past upon outwarddisplacement of the pin 593. This allows return of the pin 593 to therotatable position for resetting of the pin 593 to an alternate voltageposition.

Referring to FIGS. 90 and 91, the additional conduit conductor 34-2 isfurther illustrated. Referring to FIG. 67, the keying pin 483 asdescribed above is identical to that just described such that thedisclosure thereof is equally applicable to pin 483 which has theidentical structure and function. Hence, the conduit unit 34-2 may bekeyed to a specific voltage level and as previously described, has themovable contact shroud 487 which is displaceable between the L1, L2 andL3 positions. Here again, it is noted that the contacts 480 disclosedtherein are of the identical structure and function as the contacts 560described above. Still further, the additional components of theconnector 34-2 are also the same as other components described abovesuch that a detailed discussion thereof is not required.

With the foregoing construction principles, all of the individualcomponents may be constructed with similar contact blocks andlow-profile contacts that may be keyed where appropriate for appropriatevoltage levels.

V. Exemplary Application

The following discussion provides some additional detail as to theinterconnection of the components which were generally described aboveand are now described with some additional detail for a more completeunderstanding of the component structures.

FIG. 92 illustrates a triple gang electrical box 299 which is configuredfor supporting a single receptacle 49 as well as two off-the-shelf,pigtail-connected switches 347 to supply power to the receptacle 49-1.The box 299 supports a conduit unit such as five-wire, three-circuitconduit unit 34 which is positioned with its double end connector 122inserted into the top wall knock-out 302. As a result, as seen in thefree end of the housing 123, the end connector 122 extends into the boxinterior with the contact blocks 126 being accessible therein. Inparticular, the open ends of the contact blocks allow for access to theB connectors 122B defined thereby.

To fixedly secure the end connector 122 mechanically to the top box wall303, a hold down bracket 619 (FIGS. 92 and 93) is provided. The bracket619 has a bottom fastener flange 620 having holes 621 by which a bracket619 is screwed onto the top box wall 303 by fasteners 622. The upper endof the bracket 619 includes two rearwardly and upwardly projecting hooks323 which hook through the slots 324 formed in the edge flanges of theend connector housings. The bracket 619 is installed by inserting thehooks 624 rearwardly through the housing flanges and then swinging thebrackets 619 downwardly so that the flange 620 lies on the top boxsurface 303 and can then be screwed thereto. As seen in FIG. 94, thisleaves two B connectors 122B available for connection. The front most Bconnector 122B is interconnected to the receptacle 49-1 as will bedescribed further herein, while the rearmost B connector 122B (FIG. 94)is available for a bypass connection of an additional conduit unit thatcan exit the box 299 through the bottom knock-out 305. This bypassconnection of a conduit unit such as unit 34-1 and simultaneousconnection of a receptacle 49 is diagrammatically represented, forexample, in FIGS. 43 and 44.

As to the other two open locations of the box 299, the switch leg ofFIG. 47 may be constructed by connecting the single end connector 127 tothe box 299 by additional brackets 619. This provides the two Aconnectors 127 so as to be accessible within the box and to which athree-wire switch device pigtail 315 may be connected. For illustrativepurposes, the pigtail wires 352 are omitted from FIG. 94 but it isunderstood that such pigtail wires would be enclosed within the box 299and hard wired connected to the receptacles 347 of FIG. 92.

As illustrated in FIG. 95, it also is possible to use the triple gangbox 299 so as to interconnect three side-by-side receptacles 49 thereinall on the same circuit using a daisy chain configuration. In thisregard, a first conduit unit 34 has its double end connector 122 mountedto the box 299 the same as seen in FIG. 92. This first conduit unit isidentified by reference numeral 626 for differentiation from theadditional conduit units 34 also illustrated in FIG. 95. To constructthe triple daisy chain configuration, a second conduit unit 34 isdesignated by reference numeral 627 wherein the upstream single endconnector 117 is connected within the box 299 to the double endconnector 122. This conduit unit 627 bypasses the receptacle 49 andexits through the bottom knock-out and is looped around so that itsdouble end connector 122 connects in the second knockout position andthen second receptacle 49 is connected thereto. A third conduit unit 34is designated as 628 and has its single end connector 117 connected toconnector 627 and then looped back to the third knockout position forconnection of a third receptacle 49. The last downstream conduit unit 34designated as 629 is then connected downstream to bypass the thirdreceptacle 49 and leaves the box with the double end connector 122thereof free for further connection to continue the circuit downstreamtherefrom.

It is understood that these conduit units 34 may be five wire componentsused to carry all of the multiple circuits through the box 299 anddownstream thereof wherein the receptacles 49 are set to a specificcircuit either the same or different from each other. Any of theseconduit units 34 may also be made circuit-selectable so as to carry onlya single circuit therethrough or at any point any of these conduit units626 through 629 could be made a circuit selectable version to then limitdownstream carrying of the single circuit. Hence, the system 10 of theinvention is highly flexible in constructing different circuitconfigurations.

FIGS. 96 and 97 also illustrate how the single gang box 48 may be formedin a bypass configuration. In this regard, the double end connector 122may be connected to the box 48 which allows for a single end connectorof a downstream conduit unit 34 to be connected thereto as seen in FIG.97. This leaves open one of the B connectors 122B for subsequentconnection of the receptacle 49 in the box 48, while the downstreamconduit unit 34 then continues so that the double end connector 122thereof remains free for connection of subsequent downstream components.

While the above configurations may be made circuit selectable to limitthe receptacles to a single circuit by the use of circuit selectableconduit units, such circuit selection also may be accomplished solelythrough the use of the receptacle 49 as described in further detailherein relative to FIGS. 98-101. The receptacle 49 as describedpreviously as to FIG. 26 may be formed as a 15 amp duplex outlet 49-1having a housing 317-1 which supports a contact block 316. This contactblock 316 is formed substantially the same as the above-describedcontact block 134 (FIG. 67) in that it has the movable contact shroud319-1 which is shiftable vertically between first, second and third L1,L2 and L3 positions.

A detailed discussion of contact block 316 is not provided since itfunctions substantially the same as contact block 134. Generally, thecontact block 316 includes two stationary electrical contacts 631 whichare formed the same as above-described contacts 560 and a furthercontact 631 which is movably supported within the contact shroud 319-1.

FIG. 99 illustrates the contact shroud 319-1 in the L1 position fortapping off the first circuit. FIG. 100 illustrates the contact shroud319-1 in the third, L3 position, while FIG. 101 illustrates same in thesecond or middle L2 position. As can be seen, each individual receptacle49-1 may selectively tap off one of the three circuits L1, L2 or L3. Itis understood that different numbers of circuits may be defined throughthe system such that it is possible to construct receptacles 49 withonly two circuit selection positions, or if made larger, more than threecircuit selection positions. Such may be accomplished without departingfrom the scope of the current invention.

Referring to FIG. 98, the receptacle also includes two arm-like locatorbars 633 which project downwardly and are adapted to cooperate with theelectrical boxes. For example, referring to FIG. 102, the electrical box299 described above may have a pair of locator windows 634 that areadapted to receive the locator bars 633 vertically therethrough as seenin FIG. 102. Since the receptacle 439 is plugged at its top into anappropriate conduit end connector such as in connector 122, the top ofthe receptacle 49 is not movable outwardly. The locator bar 633 on thebottom then cooperates with the windows 634 to hence restrain the bottomof the receptacle 49 to prevent outward displacement thereof.

The installation process for a receptacle 49 is illustrated in furtherstep-wise detail in FIGS. 103A-103C. In this regard, the receptacle inFIG. 103A is first tilted so as to allow the locator 633 to projectdownwardly through the window 634 which then allows the upper end of thereceptacle 49 to then be swung inwardly into the box 299 as indicated inFIG. 103B. In this downwardly placed position, the receptacle 49 is thenaligned with the B connector 122B of the double end connector 122 thatis mounted to the top of the box 299. In the final step illustrated inFIG. 103C, the receptacle 49 is then shifted upwardly as indicated byreference arrow 635 to engage the A connector 316A thereof with the Bconnector 122B wherein the bottom end of the bar 633 is still received asmall distance through the window 634.

FIGS. 104A and 104B illustrate an alternate, preferred arrangement forsecuring the bottom end of the receptacle 49. The receptacle 49 mountsto the box 299 in the same manner as that described above by pluggingengagement of the receptacle 49 with the end connector 122. However, asseen in FIGS. 104A and 104B, a restraining clip 635 is fastened to thebox 299 by fasteners 636.

More particularly as FIG. 105A, the receptacle 49 has the receptaclebody 637 shaped to define side ledges 637A and a bottom slot 637B whichforms a rear facing wall 637C.

As seen in FIG. 105B, the clip 635 is formed of a shaped metal to definea main body 635A which turns inwardly to define feet 635B that sit onthe bottom box wall (as seen in FIG. 104B). The main body 635A has adownwardly depending fastener flange 635C with a fastener bore 635D thataligns with the bore in the box tabs.

The main body 635A then turns inwardly to define a first locator flange635E that sits below the receptacle 49 and prevents downwarddisplacement thereof. To limit front and back receptacle movement,second stop flanges 635F project upwardly and lie close against theopposing receptacle ledges 637A to prevent forward rocking of thereceptacle 49. Also, a third stop flange 635G projects upwardly into thereceptacle slot 637B and contacts the stop wall 637C from the rear toprevent backward or inward rocking of the receptacle 49 into the box299. In this manner, the receptacle 49 is securely locked in place, yetis removable by removing the clip 635.

Referring to FIGS. 106 and 107, the switch assembly may also be readilymounted to a single gang box 48. This is accomplished by mounting thesingle end connector 127 by the bracket 619 into the rearmost knock-outportion 288 formed through the top box wall 283. Interiorly of the box48, the pigtail connector 50 is then connected which would then have itsrespective pigtail wires 351 projecting outwardly therefrom for hardwiring to the switch 347. This switch assembly also could be replacedwith any of the other available switches disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 108, the system components also may be connected tothe light fixture 30 by fishing the wires 242 downwardly through theknock-out 32 in the light 30. The A connector 33A thereof is thenconnected to the downstream B connector 122B of a conduit unit 34. Thisleaves open the upper B connector 122B for a bypass connection with theA connector 117A of a downstream conduit unit 34. If desired, it ispossible to also have the component circuit selectable depending on theparticular wiring requirements.

Rather than using a switch leg to control the light fixture 30 (FIGS.109-113), the wireless electronic switch controller 402-1 may beprovided similar to the switch controller 402-1. In particular, thisswitch controller 402-1 includes a circuit selectable A connector 407A-1which connects to an upstream double end connector of a conduit unit 34.While a cap 408-1 is provided adjacent the input A conductor 407A, thedouble end connector 122 may be offset as seen in FIGS. 110 and 111 forconnection to a single end connector and specifically the A connector117A thereof. This allows for downstream passage of unswitchedelectrical power to the end connector 122 thereof. Through the switchcontroller 402-1, this includes a conduit collar 640 that inserts intothe knock-out of the light fixture 30 and is hard wired theretomanually. An antenna 641 is provided for receiving of wireless signalsin a wireless electronic control interconnected generally as seen inFIG. 37 as seen relative to switch controller 402. A single outlet Bconnector 409B-1 is provided which connects to the single end connector117 of a downstream conduit unit 34.

Referring to FIG. 112, the upstream feed connector 34 also may have itsdouble end connector 122 shifted downwardly in a non-bypass position sothat the upper B connector 122B is connected to the switch controller Aconnector 407A-1 and has its second B connector 122B closed by the cap408-1.

FIG. 113 illustrates the housing 404 having molded in sockets such assocket 404A which receives a contact block 407 therein and has a pocket404B for engaging the projecting square 407A on the side of the contactblock 407. This leaves the plug section of A connector 407A-1 accessiblefor engagement with the contact blocks 126 on the end connector 122.Only one such contact block 122 engages with the A connector 407A-1while the second contact block 122 seats in the cap 408-1 and isenclosed therein in a non-use position.

In another application for the system 10, FIG. 114 is a pictorial viewof a big-box store application. This building 655 can be any large scalebuilding and while illustrated as a retail establishment, the systemdesign techniques could also be used in a manufacturing, industrial orwarehouse facility. Generally, the building 655 has concrete block walls656, a roof 657 supported by girders 658, and interior shelving 659 withcheckout location 660 also provided.

FIG. 115 illustrates installation of system components in the concreteblock wall 656 which is formed in a conventional manner by courses ofconcrete blocks 661 wherein the block cavities 662 define internal wallcavities through which wiring may extend. During laying of the blocks661, a receptacle box 48 may be pre-installed with a vertical conduit663 being connected thereto and extending vertically through the blockcavities 662 so as to project from the top of the wall. The upper end ofthe conduit 663 may then have the pigtail wires 265 of a conduit tap 263(FIG. 17) fished therethrough to the box 48 for wiring of a receptaclethereto. The collar 264 is then secured to the conduit 663 leaving the Aconnector 263A available for connection to system components. Hence, thedouble end connector 122 of an upstream conduit connector 34 suppliespower thereto and also to another downstream conduit connector 34connected in a bypass connection as seen in illustration 665 of FIG.115.

FIG. 116 also illustrates a junction box 667 for the system which isformed like an octagon box and usable in wall-mount and ceiling-mountlocations according to wiring convention, and FIG. 117 illustrates thejunction box connected with conduit connectors 34.

The box 667 includes knockouts 668 and 669 for connection to the doubleend connector 122 of an upstream conduit connector 34 supplying powerthereto, and a single end connector 122 of a downstream conduitconnector 34 receiving power therefrom to supply downstream components.The end connector 122 is held in place by the bracket 619 that isfastened to the box 667 by screws 671.

In the junction box 667, a pigtail fixture tap 672 that has an Aconnector 672A engagable with the B connector 122B of the power feed 34.The tap 672 has a housing 673 formed like the wire manager above andhaving an opening 674 through which the pigtail wires 675 (FIGS.119-121) exit. The tap 672 thereby connects in place as seen in FIGS.116 and 177, and is secured in position by a clamping bracket 677. Theclamping bracket 677 has a U-shape and is fastened to the box 667 byfasteners 678.

In one configuration, FIG. 118 illustrates a lighting connection withthe conduit connectors 34 in a bypass configuration. A fixture tap 245is connected thereto and has the wires thereof enclosed by flexibleconduit 679 which in turn connects to a conventional lamp 680. A numberof the lamps 680 are shown connected to the girders 658 in FIG. 114.

Alternatively, FIG. 119 illustrates the junction box 667 supporting aconventional receptacle 681. The receptacle 681 is hand wired to thepigtail wires 675 by wire nuts and then is fastened to the box 667 andenclosed by an octagonal face plate 682.

Besides the mounting of receptacles, FIG. 120 illustrates an exit light684 supported by the junction box 667 which typically is poweredcontinuously. If this light 684 is being connected to a light circuitwherein some lights are being switched such as seen in FIG. 49, powerwould be powered continuously by connection to the emergency lightingleg.

Further, FIG. 121 illustrates a wall-mounted light unit 685 supported bythe junction box 667 so as to continuously receive power thereto in amanner similar to light 684 above. This light 685 has spotlights 686which may operate continuously and may have internal battery power tooperate the lights 686 if the power supply is cut to the light 685 suchas during a power outage.

In the various embodiments, the end connectors on the system componentsare made “handed” which may be important for safety considerations, suchthat the end connectors have been described as having an A or Bconfiguration. This represents the preferred invention. It will beunderstood that the end connectors could be made non-handed such asthrough the design or elimination of the keying and/or the lockingfinger arrangement. Similarly the other system components can also bemade non-handed such that, for example, any connector on any systemcomponent might be connected to any other suitable system componentconnector.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A building power distribution system defined by a plurality of systemcomponents which are selectively connectable to define a comprehensivepower supply system within partitions of a building, said systemcomponents comprising; a plurality of distribution cables having a firstconnector end and a second connector end with respective connector plugsthereon wherein said first connector end can mate with said secondconnector end but said first connector end cannot mate with a firstconnector end and a second connector end cannot mate with a secondconnector end of another identical first cable; one or more junctionboxes configured to have said connector plugs connect thereto, saidjunction boxes having interior spaces in which component connections aremade; an outlet receptacle having a receptacle plug connector forproviding power to said receptacle; a switch device having a switchconnector end with a connector plug that can plug-connect to said firstconnector end of any said cable, but said connector plug of said switchdevice can not mate or plug-connect to said second connector end of saidcable wherein said switch device effects controlled switching of powersupplied to said switch device; said system being configured such that:one or more said junction boxes mounted to a respective buildingpartition; a first one of said cables has said second connector endfixedly attached to a respective one of said junction boxes so thatcontact points of said second connector end are accessed from within theinterior space of said respective junction box, and said receptaclebeing plug-connected to said second connector of said first cable sothat power is supplied from said first cable to said receptacle and saidoutlets are accessible from said respective junction box; a second oneof said cables has said first and second connector ends, wherein saidsecond cable has said first connector end fixedly attached to arespective one of said junction boxes, such that the contact points ofsaid first connector end of said second cable are accessed from withinthe interior space of said junction box; and said switch device havingsaid connector end plug-connected to said first connector end of saidsecond cable within said junction box to receive power therefrom, saidswitch device being accessible from said junction box.
 2. A system as inclaim 1, wherein said second cable has identical connector ends as saidfirst cable except said second cable has been attached to said junctionbox in a reverse orientation.
 3. A system as in claim 1, wherein saidsecond connector end of said first cable has a multi-plug configurationof at least two of said connector plugs in side-by-side relation whichare accessible from within the interior space of said junction box.
 4. Asystem as in claim 3, wherein one of the connector plugs of said secondconnector end is plug-connected to said receptacle and the otherconnector plug is plug-connected to the first connector end of a thirdone of said cables.
 5. A system as in claim 4, wherein said third cablehas identical connector ends as said first cable with said third cablehas been attached in the same orientation.
 6. A system as in claim 1,wherein said cables carry a plurality of electrical circuitstherethrough and comprises line, neutral and ground conductors, and thesystem components further comprise a remote switch box including a firstconnector end input port configured to receive power from only one ofsaid circuits when plug-connected to the second connector end of one ofsaid cables and including at least one second connector end output portfor providing switched power to a downstream light fixture or otherdevice where each said output port has one or more switched output linesand one unswitched output line.
 7. A system as in claim 6, wherein saidsecond connector end of said cables has a multi-plug configuration of atleast two of said connector plugs in side-by-side relation which areaccessible from within the interior space of said junction box, andwherein an upstream one of said cables is connected to the input port ofthe remote switch box to define a connected upstream power input cable,said switch box including provision for one other of the multi-plugconnector plugs of the upstream power input cable to be exposed forconnection to said first connector end of another one of said cables forbypassing power downstream of the switch box.
 8. A system as in claim 7,wherein the remote switch box includes provisions for one of themulti-plug connector plugs of the upstream power input cable to beconnected to said input port and the other of the multi-plug connectorplugs of the upstream power input cable to be covered by the switch boxstructure to prevent the other multi-plug connector plug from beingexposed.
 9. A system as in claim 6, wherein said switch box includes afirst connector end switch port for connection of a said cable having asaid switch device through which the switched lines pass.
 10. A systemas in claim 6, wherein said second cable is connected to said switchport.
 11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said switch device comprisesa standard switch and a switch pigtail device having a pigtail connectorend with said connector plug that can plug-connect to said firstconnector end of any said cable, and further having wires with free endsfor attachment to said standard switch, said switch pigtail devicehaving said connector end plug-connected to said first connector end ofsaid second cable within said respective junction box and having saidwires attached to said standard switch.
 12. A system as in claim 11,wherein said remote switch box includes an integral switch device suchas a relay(s) through which the switched line(s) passes and can berespectively interrupted by selective activation of the relay(s).
 13. Asystem as in claim 12, wherein said remote switch box includes lowvoltage wires attached to the relay switch device on which a signalpasses that causes the relay(s) to connect or interrupt the path of theswitched line(s).
 14. A system as in claim 13, wherein said remoteswitch box includes a wireless receiver that can receive signals thatwith cause the relay(s) to respectively connect or interrupt the path ofthe switched line(s).
 15. A system as in claim 10, wherein said remoteswitch box includes additional ones of said first connector end switchports for connection of additional ones of said cables for connection toa switch device or switches through which the switched lines passwherein the additional switch ports are daisy chain connected withinsaid switch box so that each switched line must pass through eachattached switch device.
 16. A system as in claim 6, wherein the remoteswitch box includes a said cable connected to one of the secondconnector end output ports to provide unswitched power to emergency oralways-on lighting.
 17. A system as in claim 10, wherein the remoteswitch box includes one said input port that is labeled for power-in, atleast one said output port that is labeled for switched power-out and atleast one said switch port that is labeled for connection to a manualswitch.
 18. A system as in claim 1, wherein said switch device comprisesa standard switch and a switch pigtail device having a pigtail connectorend with said connector plug that can plug-connect to said firstconnector end of any said cable, and further having wires with free endsfor attachment to said standard switch, said switch pigtail devicehaving said connector end plug-connected to said first connector end ofsaid second cable within said respective junction box and having saidwires attached to said standard switch.
 19. A system as in claim 1,wherein said cables carry one or more electrical circuits therethroughand comprise line, neutral and ground conductors, and the systemcomponents further comprise a remote switch box including a firstconnector end input port configured to receive power from only one ofsaid circuits when plug-connected to the second connector end of one ofsaid cables and including at least one second connector end output portfor providing switched power to a downstream light fixture or otherdevice where each said output port has one or more switched outputlines, said switch box includes at least two first connector end switchports for connection of respective ones of said cables each having asaid switch device through which the switched lines pass to define athree-way switch configuration.
 20. A system according to claim 1,wherein said cables carry one or more electrical circuits therethroughand comprise line, neutral and ground conductors, and the systemcomponents further comprise a remote switch box including a firstconnector end input port configured to receive power from only one ofsaid circuits when plug-connected to the second connector end of one ofsaid cables and including at least one second connector end output portfor providing switched power to a downstream light fixture or otherdevice where each said output port has one or more switched outputlines, said switch box includes at least three first connector endswitch ports for connection of respective ones of said cables eachhaving a said switch device through which the switched lines pass, saidswitch box including a jumper cap for one of said switch ports, andbeing internally wired such that plug-connection of two said cables andsaid jumper cap to said switch ports defines a three-way switchconfiguration and plug-connection of three said cables to said switchports without use of said jumper cap defines a four-way switchconfiguration.
 21. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first andsecond cables are connected to one said junction box such that saidswitch device and said receptacle are located side-by-side therein.